TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. — Alexander Makris, 16, became the next cross bearer during the 116th Epiphany celebrations in Tarpon Springs on Thursday. 

Makris retrieved the honored cross from the Spring Bayou during his first dive. 

The teen will receive a full year of blessings after retrieving the cross. 

This years' celebrations were fully open to the public after the event was scaled back in 2021 due to the pandemic. 

The annual Tarpon Springs event traditionally draws more than 20,000 spectators. Considered the largest Epiphany celebration in the Western Hemisphere, the event commemorates Jesus’ baptism in the River Jordan.

Michael Kouskoutis has been organizing the cross dive for nearly 30 years. He’s excited to see the celebration get back to what is usually is, after it was scaled down last year.

“As the day approaches, I get more excited about it,” Kouskoutis said. “These boys from generation to generation, experiencing the same thing we’ve experienced in this community for 116 years.”

The highlight of the event is when 68 boys ages 16 to 18 dive into Spring Bayou to retrieve the cross.

Colten Sakadales recovered the cross at the 115th Epiphany celebration last year.

Last year, there was no Blessing of the Fleet the day before and limited attendance during the morning Archierarchial Liturgy at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

This year, his Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, along with Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta will be participating in the morning church services.

However, for the second straight year, the Glendi festival, which follows the cross throw, will not take place.

The Jan. 6 event begins with an 8 a.m. church service at St. Nicholas, followed by the procession to Spring Bayou around noon and the cross throwing.