Epiphany cross dive celebration in Tarpon Springs returns Monday

TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. – A Tarpon Springs custom will enter its 119th yr because the annual Epiphany Celebration on Monday.

67 teenagers will bounce into the Bayou to search out the wood cross, which guarantees a yr of blessings.

John Hittos from Clearwater emerged from the Spring Bayou and was carried by means of the streets of Tarpon Springs after retrieving the cross in a matter of minutes eventually yr’s epiphany celebration.

“You do really feel good being up there,” Hittos recalled. “However, on the finish of the day, it isn’t nearly you. It is about Jesus. His baptism and the celebration for the church. You understand, it is a second to rejoice with all of your fellow divers, your brothers in Christ.” 

Grateful for a yr of immense blessings for him and his household, John is now getting ready handy again the cross in Monday’s ceremony, so 67 younger males from throughout the Bay Space can dive in for an opportunity at discovering it. 

Teenagers try to retrieve the cross from the water. Epiphany cross dive celebration.

One among them can be first-time diver Alexander Broderick of Spring Hill Christ the Savior Church.

On Sunday, earlier than the blessing of the fleet, he bought to satisfy John, who supplied him some sound recommendation. 

“Do not be so nervous that you just’re simply attempting to undergo the motions, rush by means of it,” Hittos instructed Broderick. “Take a deep breath. Thank God to be there and simply take pleasure in what you are doing.”

“I used to be anxious, however then John truly helped me with that.,” Broderick instructed FOX 13. “I am actually grateful to have the ability to take part on this occasion. It is not like not too many individuals are in a position to, and it is simply actually particular since it’s my first time doing it.“

Recognized to be the biggest epiphany celebration within the Western Hemisphere, this yr’s will tackle a fair extra important which means, because the group counts their blessings and honors their resilience after seeing intensive injury from final yr’s storms.

“Everybody misplaced one thing. It was very detrimental to the group. However being right here to come back collectively, it’s going to be nice,” Hittos mentioned. 

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