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George McKenna | profile | all galleries >> Diving for the Cross tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Diving for the Cross

On Epihany the Greek Catheral holds a religious ceremoney followed by a procession through town. The procession ends up at the Spring Bayou where more prayers are said and a Dove of Peace is released. This is followed by the Archbishop throwing a cross into the bayou. The boys then dive for the cross. The boy who retrieves the cross will be blessed with good fortune for the coming year. It is a very colorful event.
Altar boys ready for the procession.
Altar boys ready for the procession.		 Waiting on the Catheral steps.
Waiting on the Catheral steps.		 Spring Bayou
Spring Bayou		 Boats are ready for the boys.
Boats are ready for the boys.
One of the boats.
One of the boats.		 Safety boat.
Safety boat.		 Safety diver ready.
Safety diver ready.		 The boys approaching the bayou.
The boys approaching the bayou.
Archbishop arriving at the bayou.
Archbishop arriving at the bayou.		 Into the water to go to the boats.
Into the water to go to the boats.		 More boys.
More boys.		 Swimming for the boats.
Swimming for the boats.
Some boats are overloaded.
Some boats are overloaded.		 Everyone wants to be in the closest boat.
Everyone wants to be in the closest boat.		 This group is waiting on top.
This group is waiting on top.		 Blessing of the divers.
Blessing of the divers.
We're ready !
We're ready !		 The Dove of Peace
The Dove of Peace		 It flew out and circled the bayou.
It flew out and circled the bayou.		 Ready to go.
Ready to go.
Archbishop with the cross.
Archbishop with the cross.		 Throwing the cross.
Throwing the cross.		 The cross and the divers hit the water at the same time.
The cross and the divers hit the water at the same time.		 Fight for the cross.
Fight for the cross.
No one has it yet.
No one has it yet.		 Cross in hand.
Cross in hand.		 Out of the bayou.
Out of the bayou.		 In front of the Archbishop with the cross.
In front of the Archbishop with the cross.

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Peter Sussex 11-Jan-2009 13:48
Exciting documentation of the ceremony, really enjoyed the story told in images. Great work George!
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