A RELIGIOUS tradition dating back centuries was on display at Trinity Beach yesterdayas the Greek Orthodox Church held its annual Blessing of the Waters.

About 75 members of St John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Parish attended the event, which involved about 10 single, young Greek men diving underwater to find a golden cross.
Parish priest Father Constantine Tsacalos said the event symbolised Christ's baptism and epiphany in the River Jordan, with the early Greek church allowing only young sailors to participate as a way of giving them good fortune at sea.
"After a Sunday service at the church, everybody makes their way down to Trinity Beach and we have a traditional Greek barbecue," Fr Tsacalos said.
"We do a little service to bless the water, then we throw the cross in the water as a blessing, and then the young men dive for it and try to find it. Whoever finds it, it's their good fortune."

 

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