The celebration of Epiphany in Ayia Napa was brilliant.
Crowds of people flooded the Church of Panagia Agia Napa and the port of the city.
With all the splendor and religious fervour, Agia Napa celebrated the Epiphany again this year, with the Divine Liturgy, which was celebrated in the Holy Church of the Virgin Agia Napa, the Baptism of the Holy Cross and the consecration of the Waters in the town's harbor.
The Divine Liturgy and the Great Consecration at the Holy Church of Panagia Agia Napa was presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan of Constantia/Ammochosto Mr. Basilios, while the Government was represented by the Deputy Minister of Tourism Mr. Costas Koumis. Also present were the Mayor Mr. Christos Zannettou, the Deputy Mayor Mr. Antonis Christou, Members of the Municipal Council, MPs, Mayors, representatives of the Army, the Police, Parties and Organized Groups.
After the end of the Divine Liturgy there was a procession to Limanaki, to the sounds of the band of the Municipality/Church of Panagia Agia Napa and to the accompaniment of the National Guard, where His Eminence the Metropolitan of Constantia performed the ceremony of sanctifying the waters and the immersion of the Holy Stavrou.
Dozens of swimmers dived into the sea to catch the Cross and receive the blessing of the Most Reverend Metropolitan Mr. Basilio. The first swimmer was awarded a gold cross while the rest of the swimmers received a silver cross.
Addressing the congregation, His Holiness wished everyone Good Enlightenment, urging at the same time that the wars must stop because it is not possible, as he said, for Orthodox people to kill Orthodox people or other peoples to kill other peoples, these are messages that cannot be forgiven only with repentance we can receive complete forgiveness.
Addressing all the people of Famagusta whether they reside in the Free Province of Famagusta or are refugees scattered everywhere not to suffer the flag of the struggle until the freedom of our beloved city. Of course, he added, we don't want to be localists, for Freedom to concern the whole of Cyprus, without meaning that we accept against anyone, but justice must be restored in this place so that we can live in Freedom and Peace.
In his short greeting, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mr. Costas Koumis, wished the Holy Spirit to fill our daily lives with optimism, solidarity and love for our fellow man. He added that the challenges of everyday life are really many, but the biggest challenge is the fact that our country remains semi-occupied, so "let's hope that even better days will dawn for our semi-occupied country".
The Mayor of Agia Napa, Mr. Christos Zannettou, expressed the wish that the next celebrations of the Holy Epiphanies will take place in our Metropolitan Municipality, the Municipality of Famagusta and in all the coastal areas of our occupied land.
He also wished that Peace would soon come to the Middle East and to the entire planet and thanked the National Guard, the Band of the Municipality/Church of Panagia Agia Napa, the Dance Club of the Municipality of Agia Napa and the "Kimon" Dance Group of Xylotymbou for the participation in the celebrations of the Epiphany as well as all those who attended.
In the specially designed space of the Port, the Dance Group of the Municipality of Agia Napa and the "Kimon" Xylotympos Dance Group presented a rich traditional artistic program with Cypriot, Greek Dances and songs, delighting the audience that watched them.
