If I were not as lazy, this post would have been a part of the earlier post or would have come earlier in the week. The history lesson continues, Annie :) The Greek heritage of this place dates back a century. This is shot at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral's courtyard. The Cathedral is a replica of St. Sophia of Istanbul (Hagia Sophia) which many of us have seen at Istanbul's DP blogs. The Cathedral was consecrated during the Epiphany festivities of 1943 and is home to the largest Epiphany celebration in the United States.
Each year, January 6th, marks the day long Greek Orthodox event. The celebration begins with a morning service. This is followed by the release of a white dove of peace. Next is a mesmerizing ritual dive into the Spring Bayou by fifty local young men between ages 16 and 18 to retrieve a wooden cross. Locals believe that retrieving the cross will ensure a year of good luck and blessing. The young man who finds the cross is carried back to the church in a procession, where a short service is held to bless the diver. The young diver here in the pic has found the cross. If I happen to be around this place the next Jan 6th, I promise I'll try to bring glimpses of the event here.
30 comments:
Very nice tight cropping & you seem to have excellent sharpness with that camera.
It's an excellent take. Isn't it funny that they capture a white dove, then release it and say-'we are all for peace and harmony.'
hola muy buenas estas ultimas como siempre enhorabuena un saludo
I really like the way the light falls on the cathedral in the first photo. An early morning or late evening shot?
Loved your post about Cinnamon. I always try to remember to give our two cats belly rubs everyday!
Thank you for visiting and commenting at Villigen, Switzerland.
It does always how do you: of the attractive photograph and a long explanation that make to include of it the story. Now, that boy and its cross have, for me, a double beauty.
What a beautiful photo! The warm colors are gorgeous. And thanks for giving us that information about the Epiphany ceremony. It sounds like an interesting tradition. You'll have to try and get some photos for us in January!
for an instant I couldn't figure out whether the boy was a statue or a real person, the photo is lovely and so are the stories behind it. is there going to be a part three?
Nikon : The sharpness was adjusted, cropping wasn't....:)
Sarad: Why do they do it?? I've seen the practice common all over the world..any idea whats the origin behind it ??
Manuel: gracias.....and long time!!! :)
Z : Thank u for reciprocating the visit. It's a late afternoon shot, sometime around 5 in the evening, Sun sets at 8 pm in these parts...... :)
Nazzareno : Thank u :)
Lori : I sure will try my best to if I'm in Florida. :)
Su : They have interesting statues all around, it seems! and regarding part 3, wait and watch!!! :DD OK, i'll stop being a tease..I think one final part and we'll be done with TS for now :)
What an interesting place! That's a realistic statue of a guy...great pics!
Wonderful images!!!
You have such beautiful photographs, and the narrative is very interesting too.
I came to thank you for visiting my blog and for your comments there. Thank you.
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Wow! What a beautiful statue! :P and it takes a good photo to make it look so beautiful, too. ;)
Good work!
The tradition which you describe sounds interesting and fun, though I doubt that people seriously believe in its deeper meaning nowadays. Still, it's always nice to do something like that once in a year. :)
Meg, Ash: its a charming place, thank u :)
Abraham Lincoln : thank u sir :)
Israelidiary: Thank u and I really am not sure how strong people's beliefs are. I can only speak abt myself :)
A nice series about a splendi place!
Great image...I have been to Haiga Sohia and it is one of my favorite places in the world. I love the browns in this Moi....and look at that wonderful sky...I love a sky with a few fluffy, white clouds rolling by.
:)
Sharp photos...in more ways than one!
Nice to know that some traditions survive!
Love both of your shots here, and the history too. I like to know more about the photos I look at, it's one of the things I like best about photo bloggers.
Fascinating. I really like reading the stories behind the photos.
Still : thank u :)
Anna : We had plans to be in Turkey last Dec but could not and I so badly want to see Hagia Sophia and the whirling dervishes...thanx for stopping by despite a hectic day for u :)
Isabella : U must have seen the Chruch while in Tarpon Springs, right ??
John: Thank u and So do I :)
Annulla : I 'm glad u enjoyed this post :)
Very beautiful pictures Moi! Like your ideas of saving sheets of paper for drafts. Maybe you can be proactive at the University and launch a campaign to save trees, double side printing is so easy to set, or double copies in one page. :-) Have a nice weekend! xoxo
Hello I have just found your blog and I really love your photos. Nice weekend
An impressive statue perfectly captured.
I like how your blog here gives more info and more pics, Moi, just like I can do on my Blogspot site. It's really nice, isn't it! :)
Cris : Thank u and U r right, we do have a Recycling group here ...may be i can put fwd the idea and get it going, thanx for the inspiration, Cris....have a great Sunday :)
Dine welcome here and thank u ..i shall be soon on ur blog :)
Ruth :)
Ginnie : It is ..and i love both ur blogs..:)
I like that the young man looks so natural right down to his still wet clothing.
That's a very nice statue, looks realistic .. like a boy just got done playing some sports on a muddy ground.
Faye, Nabeel : that's the first thing that struck moi bat the statue....how real it looks, especially its wet clothing ...
Don't know abouts it's origin, no idea. May be the dove would stick aroud, if you feed it.
Hagia Sofia is one of our favorite buildings, and I can definitely see the echoes in this cathedral. Didn't know anyone had done that!
Sarad: could be ...
Ruth : I havent seen Hagia Sofia in person though I will love to and am working towards planning a vacation in Turkey next year...But yeah they do look a tad similar though pics....Thanx for confirming it :)
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