Epiphany

If our traditions were still alive today, the kallikantzaroi, or malevolent goblins, would be making a mad dash to return to the underworld. And relieved by this lifesaving turn of events, Friday's Epiphany would be the symbol of mankind's rebirth.

The days following Christmas have been a good opportunity for Orthodox priests accross Romania to encourage parishioners to back a campaign for a change to the constitution outlawing same-sex marriage.  

Greek Orthodox Christians have dived into Turkey's Golden Horn and İzmir Bay to retrieve wooden crosses thrown into the water as part of the Epiphany celebration on Jan. 6, which marks the birth of Jesus Christ

For the first time since the Asia Minor Catastrophe of 1922, a Greek Orthodox Epiphany celebration took place in Izmir on January 6, 2016.

The Greek Orthodox community has received permission from the Turkish authorities to perform the Diving for the Holy Cross ceremony on the local pier.

A bitterly cold Jan. 6 morning saw the return of one of Istanbul's oldest - and most demanding - religious traditions, as dozens of GreekOrthodox Christians swam frantically to retrieve a cross thrown into the Golden Horn.

The Bulgarian town of Kalofer celebrated on Wednesday the feast day of Epiphany with a traditional dance performed by local men in the icy waters of the river Tundzha.

The participants performed the traditional Bulgarian dance of horo, but with only men allowed in it, accompanied by musicians playing bagpipes.

On Epiphany Day it is believed that the Kalikantzaroi, the mischievous goblins, are banished back to hollow earth for another year until next Christmas with the blessing of waters and the houses by the priests.

Many customs and traditions also come to life on Epiphany Day which are celebrated on January 6 every year around Greece.

Rougkatsia

Epiphany Day, also known as Theofania or Fota, is celebrated across Greece each year on January 6 commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist, according to the Orthodox Church and the banishing of the mischievous Kalikantzaroi back to the hollow earth, according to popular belief.

In the cold of winter, young men all over Bulgaria are to jump into rivers and lakes, keeping an old tradition in celebrating the Christian Orthodox feast of Epiphany.

On January 6, known also as St Jordan's day, Orthodox Christians celebrate the baptism of Christ by John the Baptist in the river Jordan, seen as his appearance to the world (epiphany) as the Son of God.

Thankfully, the effect of Saturn is leaving us; it will be a relief, at least for my fellow Scorpios and I. Tonight might be our last stressful night after an agonizing three years; according to astrology, it will be a night of transition and transformation; our chance to burn the past and start a new era.