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TV show chronicles Epiphany in TarponBy Times staff writer© St. Petersburg Times published January 4, 2003 TARPON SPRINGS -- This year's Epiphany celebration is not until Monday, but a documentary scheduled to show on cable television early Sunday could help celebrants set the mood. Epiphany: The Festival of Lights was shot during last year's celebration in the town once known as Epiphany City. It is scheduled for 6 a.m. Sunday on the Hallmark Channel (Ch. 49 on Time Warner cable in Pinellas County). A crew of 35 to 40 filmed last year's event and interviewed Greek Orthodox theologians and local figures such as Tarpon Springs Mayor Frank DiDonato and longtime sponge merchant George Billiris for the production. In addition to being broadcast, the documentary also can be purchased from Greek Orthodox Telecommunications for $25 plus $6 shipping and handling. Call (212) 570-3588. The Greek Orthodox church celebrates Epiphany, which commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan, every Jan. 6. On Friday, some of the 42 young men who will dive for the cross Monday afternoon rounded up the dinghies used in the ceremony and brought them to Spring Bayou. They kidded each other and wrestled and shuddered at the prospect of jumping into the cold water of the bayou. But for all the talk of the superiority of the closer dinghies and the strategies of the strongest divers, they agreed nothing could prepare them for Monday's dive. "It's divine intervention," said Dimitrios Hatzileris, 17. "You can't practice for it." Monday's Epiphany observances include the Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral at 10 a.m., followed by a parade, the cross dive some time after noon and the Glendi festival in Craig Park.
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From the Times North Pinellas desks |
