The boys are 16, 17 and 18 years old, and participation is limited to members of the handful of Greek Orthodox churches in the Tampa Bay area. Sixty boys will dive in Spring Bayou this year, with the cross likely thrown by Archbishop Demetrios Trakatellis, leader of the Greek Orthodox Church in America. The city’s population will at least double for the cross dive and Greek festival that follows on Jan. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral downtown to the intricate murals on the walls outside the shops that line Dodecanese Boulevard across the street from the sponge docks. (About 8,000 in town claim such status.) And the Mediterranean influence is everywhere, from the dome of the grand St. Tarpon Springs, 45 minutes northwest of Tampa, boasts one of the largest per-capita concentrations of Greek-Americans in the country among its modest population of 22,000. Equal parts religious ceremony and community jubilee, it is the signature festival for the waterfront village that draws tourists year-round to its working sponge docks and colorful assortment of Greek restaurants and shops. The Tarpon Springs “Cross Dive” is the centerpiece of what locals call the largest Epiphany event in the Western Hemisphere, celebrating the day Orthodox Christians believe Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan.
The one lucky enough to surface with it earns instant celebrity status, a ride through the streets on the shoulders of his peers and - the Greek-American boys believe - the favor of God in the coming year. They dive off row boats and, in a chaotic flailing of arms and legs, grope in the murky water for a wooden cross tossed in by a priest. 6 for more than a century, dozens of teenage boys set out from the stately Greek Orthodox cathedral in this Florida Gulf Coast town to seek God’s blessing in the chilly waters of a bayou several blocks away. CVS Pharmacy, Publix, Queen's Pizza and Starbucks and Walmart are all within an easy walk.In a spectacle repeated every Jan. Pete with stops including the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and the top rated Clearwater Beach and St. For those who want to relax, or simply not worry about parking, but still want to got to the hot spots take the Trolley, day and night. Pete allowing for an all day adventure with many shops and restaurants along the way. The trail runs from Tarpon Springs to St. The Pinellas Trail is also just a few blocks away to go for a nice walk, jog or to ride a bike. The annual Tarpon Spring Fine Arts Festival is a must see.
This beautiful city has many local activities including award winning art festivals, music festivals, micro breweries, a winery, great beaches and parks with boat ramps for boats of all sizes, as well as outdoor movie nights. Being one of the few commercial fishing communities, the seafood is always fresh and will not disappoint.
The Greek Orthodox Epiphany is celebrated each year in Tarpon Springs, Florida, and is actually the largest Epiphany celebration anywhere in the world! There are many authentic greek restaurants and bakeries to satisfy all. Tarpon Springs has a strong greek history and presence. Tarpon Springs Suites is just down the street from Innisbrook Golf Resort and Lake Tarpon as well as the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks. The apartment is clean and inviting, and is good for couples, solo adventurers, business travelers and families (with or without kids and pets). You will feel like you are at the beach although it is a short distance away.
The property has been landscaped with the feel of being in the Florida Keys. The grounds are lusciously landscaped, with plenty of seating that make it perfect for relaxing while visiting with friends and family, catching some rays, or grilling out. There are four pet friendly, spacious, clean, 2 BD /1 BA apartments and one RV space. This award-winning destination is guaranteed to exceed your expectations. Tarpon Springs Suites is a quaint, Key West style property only minutes from the white sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico.
Welcome to Tarpon Springs, FL known for its 50 miles of waterfront allure.