January 8, 2007

• Christians celebrating Theophany (Epiphany) around the world. Go to: Mario Tarinas kisses a cross tossed into the icy water as part of Epiphany celebrations in Istanbul, Turkey, on Saturday. Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate Epiphany on January 6, which they believe is the anniversary of the baptism of Jesus.

  A woman lights a candle during a Divine Liturgy for Epiphany at the Patriarchal Church of Saint George in Istanbul on Saturday. The term “Epiphany” originates from a Greek word meaning “manifestation.” In both the Eastern and Western churches, Epiphany honors what Christians believe was the first manifestation of Jesus’ divinity. A Greek Orthodox priest holds up the Bible as he blesses the waters off the coast of Zygi, in Cyprus, on Saturday. Eastern Orthodox churches believe Epiphany was the day Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River — hence the ceremonies A boy brandishes a cross he retrieved from the river as others sing and dance around him in Kalofer, Bulgaria, on Saturday. Eastern Orthodox priests traditionally throw a cross into a river and men and boys try to grab it. It is believed that those who dance in the river will have a healthy year.

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