Where I spent my growing up years, most of the Catholic churches were what everyone called "Russian Catholic" churches. They observed the January Christmas, which everyone called "Russian Christmas." :)
I've been to Tarpon Springs Florida, a very scenic Greek town known for its sponge divers. For the Epiphany they have boys 13 years old, (not sure on the age but they're pretty young), I believe, that dive after a cross that a priest throws into the water. The one who retrieves it gets some kind of honor. I guess they'll be doing that tomorrow Tuesday.
For me, the time between last Christmas and this one felt like weeks apart - not months. I expect that time span will get even shorter this year! ;)
We called it both Russian and Greek Christmas. Although in Greece they changed it, some of the NorthEastern Orthodox Churches still adhered to the old Greek ways. Ha.
I LOVE Tarpon Springs and went there for the first time with my family in 1985 - which, I was totally smitten with the sponge docks! At the time, they still had the sponge divers. It was a magical place, another world from my New England roots. I have been since and although it is more commercial than it ever was, it still is a place that is fun to go to.
I did know they did the cross toss, but, have never been fortunate enough to be there to witness it. You were right the first time. It is on Monday and I do wish I was going. I would love to be there in the moment!
My mother told me that the older I get, the faster time goes. As opposed to when we were waiting to be 10, then 13, the magic birthday and then 16! Oh, to drive... then 18 and finally 21. When you went over 30, I wondered what all the fuss was about. :)
But, yes! If you intend on aging well, it will continue to spiral! :) Thanks for stopping by and leaving your words. I pulled this off the internet as I found it interesting and thought you might too. Thanks for reminding me about Tarpon Springs. It is a wonderful little place!
https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/tarpon-springs-celebrates-epiphany-prime-minister-greece-special-guest
Lots of info on today's Epiphany at Tarpon Springs in that informative article. I see I was off by a few years on the ages of the young men diving. :) Pretty special day in Tarpon Springs, to have the PM of Greece attending. Then, as I expected, he's off to DC tomorrow to meet with the POTUS.
I love Tarpon also; there's no better place to get great Greek food, that's for sure! I've been there in the summer, off-season for most tourists, and the town is very friendly and one of the most accommodating towns I've ever been to in my life.
I didn't mind age 30, but 40 was the point I had decided meant I was officially getting old, so I fought it - continuing to play sports and working out to stave off the inevitable time when I couldn't. Though I had to give up tennis a few years ago, I still work out and can still play some sports, so I'm happy I haven't gone completely over the hill yet. LOL
I enjoy life as I always have. I don't really find that time moving faster is having an undesirable effect on me; I see it as it's just getting easier to notice it moving by more quickly. Even the increasing swiftness of time has its benefits if you know where to look. Have a great Epiphany day!