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At Epiphany, 'one family'

Guests from two Greek cities will visit and strengthen cultural and economic bonds.

By ELENA LESLEY, Times Staff Writer
Published January 2, 2008

TARPON SPRINGS - As Tarpon Springs residents gear up for the 102nd Epiphany celebration this weekend, they are also welcoming visitors from the Greek islands, where many of the traditions originated.

Delegations from the cities of Kalymnos and Halki will be in Tampa Bay for the holy day.

"We are celebrating this as one family," said Metropolitan Paisios Aravantinos, part of a group from Kalymnos that arrived in Tarpon Springs on Monday. "Traditions here were brought to Tarpon from the islands."

Along with enjoying the transplanted rituals, visitors are hoping to strengthen cultural and economic exchange between Tarpon Springs and its sister cities.

Though the mayor of Kalymnos could not travel because of illness, he offered his greetings via text message and sent Vice Mayor Filippos Christodoulou in his place.

He and other dignitaries from Kalymnos, already a sister city, mingled with local officials during a reception at Mama Maria's restaurant late Monday.

A group from Halki, including Mayor Elengo Panagis, will arrive in town Friday and sign paperwork a few days later to become an official sister city.

"This is something we've wanted to do for a long time," said Mayor Beverley Billiris, adding that she hopes Symi also becomes a sister city eventually. "When you do a sister city signing, the cities agree to cultivate each other and keep a connection."

Kalymnos became a sister city in 2002, but this is the first time representatives have visited specifically for Epiphany.

Aravantinos said the holiday is an important event in Kalymnos and that men there also dive for a holy cross.

Even though the mayor of Kalymnos couldn't come this year, "his thoughts are with us because he loves all Kalymnians," Aravantinos said.

During the next week, visitors from Kalymnos and Halki will meet with local officials to learn about city projects, talk to the Chamber of Commerce about economic possibilities, and discuss potential study abroad and distance learning opportunities with St. Petersburg College.

A Halki dinner and dance will take place Monday, the day after Epiphany, and organizer Andie Stavrakis said she expects a crowd of more than 400 people.

"It has bloomed," she said, "into something unbelievable."

Elena Lesley can be reached at elesley@sptimes.com or 727 445-4167.

[Last modified January 1, 2008, 21:07:44]