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Orthodox Observer - February 1997 Hundreds Welcome Archbishop A Homecoming Combined with the Epiphany By Nikki Stephanopoulos TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. — Excitement mounted at Tampa International Airport on the evening of Jan. 3 as costumed children wildly waving Greek and American flags, television and news photographers maneuvered for position amongst the assembled clergy, Greek Orthodox faithful and curious onlookers awaiting the arrival of TWA Flight 305 and His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon from New York.
An endless line of passengers disembarked, mystified by the lights, cameras and enthusiastic crowd. A roar finally went up, "There he is! There he is!" People strained to be the first to welcome him back home, cameras flashed, microphones were extended to pick up every word ― this was truly a glorious moment for the Greek Orthodox faithful of Tarpon Springs and the Tampa Bay area of Florida. His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon, the first American-born prelate of 1.5 million Greek Orthodox Christians in America, graduated from Tarpon Springs High School in 1962. Though his given name was George P. Papageorgiou, he was known as "George" and came from Rhodes, Greece, to live with relatives for his junior and senior year of high school to improve his command of English. This was a weekend to be long remembered in Tarpon Springs for it also marked the return of a Tarpon Springs native, Metropolitan Nikitas Lulias, who was enthroned Sunday, Jan.12 as the first Greek Orthodox Metropolitan of Hong Kong.
Of all the observances of Epiphany (Theophany-manifestation of God) throughout the world, none is more deeply religious in tradition and significance or more colorful, than in the Greek Orthodox Church. and nowhere does the observance take place on the scale witnessed in Tarpon Springs, which introduced the Greek Epiphany and its traditions to the American public in the 1930's.
PRIOR TO the outdoor pro- cession, Archbishop Spyri- don held the Epiphany ser- vice in St. Nicholas Cathe- dral. Here, he dips the Bas- il plant into the blessed wa- ter before sprinkling the con- gregation. Hundreds of pennants float in the breeze, Greek and American flags fly everywhere, lighted crosses decorate the lamp posts lining the streets and thousands of people, of every faith and denomination, from throughout the United States and Canada, come to witness the impressive ceremony which begins at St. Nicholas Cathedral, an exquisite Byzantine structure. Hundreds packed the Cathedral to participate in the archieratical liturgy celebrated by His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon assisted by Metropolitan Nikitas, Metropolitan Silas formerly of the Diocese of New Jersey; Bishop Alexios of Troas, newly appointed Vicar of the Diocese of Atlanta; Dean of the Cathedral Father Tryphon Theophilopoulos, Archdeacon Gerasimos, Deacon Anastasios, over 20 priests, including area clergy and several retired priests; the Cathedral chanters and choir. Dignitaries present in the congregation included the Ambassador of Greece and Mrs. Loucas Tsilas, Congressman and Mrs. Michael Bilirakis and Mayor Anita Protos of Tarpon Springs. Following the Blessing of the Waters, the entire congregation led by His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon proceeded out into a beautiful sunlit day where thousands line the streets and thousands more ringed the bayou. Long-awaited moment The procession wound through the streets to the Spring Bayou. The Archbishop mounted the platform and some 50 young men, ages 16-18 awaited in boats preparing to dive for the cross, news and police helicopters flew overhead and the anticipation mounted. The Archbishop intoned prayers, a white dove was released. However, rather than fly away, he chose to watch the proceedings perched on a branch above the golden mitre of the archbishop. Suddenly, with the agility of the former football player he once was, the Archbishop cast a white cross into the water. Sixty teenage boys dive into the 64-degree waters of the Spring Bayou for the annual "cross toss". Within 15 seconds 16-year-old Theo Koulianos, emerged with the cross. Shortly afterwards, His Eminence conferred his blessings to the winner and presented him with a trophy. Following the cross dive, an Epiphany Festival was held in Craig Park on the shores of the bayou complete with Greek food, music and entertainment. It is estimated that 40,000 participated in the day-long activities in Tarpon Springs. Surprise Appearance at St. Petersburg Though expected to attend the Divine liturgy at St. Nicholas Cathedral on Sunday, Jan. 5, Archbishop Spyridon, unexpectedly that morning, chose to visit St. Stefanos Church in St. Petersburg. "Metropolitan Nikitas was to celebrate the Liturgy, I wanted it to be his day" said the Archbishop. Let me visit another community." Though caught unawares, the community led by its pastor Father George Patides, the packed church warmly welcomed His Eminence who officiated at the Blessing of the Waters and greeted each parishioner. Following a full day on Saturday, which included individual interviews with the Tampa Tribune and St. Petersburg Times and NBC television, a luncheon hosted by the Philoptochos of St. Nicholas Cathedral, meetings with the area clergy and retired clergy, His Eminence attended a Dinner benefiting the rebuilding fund of St. John the Baptist Church, Tampa. On Tuesday, Jan. 7, he celebrated Liturgy on the occasion of the Feast Day of the Church. Following the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence visited the St. John's Greek Orthodox Day School. A beautiful complex with some 2,000 students (K8), led by the principal James J. Larkin and a dedicated staff. The Archbishop visited several classrooms and thoroughly enjoyed interacting with the students. That evening he also had the opportunity to have dinner with many of his relatives, first and second cousins, who live in the Tarpon Springs area and proudly enjoyed every minute of the visit of their "favorite cousin" and spiritual leader. Former residence On Wednesday morning, Jan. 8, His Eminence paid a nostalgic visit to the home he lived in while attending Tarpon Springs High School and then went on to the High School where he assisted in unveiling a Sponger's Statue (donated by the Dodecanese and Kalymnian Societies of Florida) and attended a program given by the Greek Club students. Traditionally, the Order of Ahepa and its auxiliaries hold meetings during the Epiphany weekend. On Sunday, the Ahepa family hosted a luncheon in honor of His Eminence and that evening an Epiphany Dinner in honor of His Eminence attracted over 600 people. During his stay in Florida, His Eminence gave generously of his time for newspaper, radio and television interviews. "I'm happy to report," wrote the Tampa public relations chairman, "that we had a very successful "media relations weekend" here in Tampa Bay during the Archbishop's visit. For six nights in a row we had the Archbishop on all four major television channels, including three cameras during the St. John's Liturgy. The two papers covered the Archbishop daily, with several cover spreads. Our great and profound Orthodox message was experienced by many thousands of people, and that to me is the best thing of all," Yours in Christ, Patti Paxson, St. John Greek Orthodox Church. [ Orthodox Observer - Vol. 62, No. 1123 - February 1997 - pp. 1, 28 ]
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