Source: Tampa Bay Times A former dove-bearer and granddaughter of St. Nicholas’ longtime priest calls the rule ‘theologically unjustifiable’ By Tracey McManus TARPON SPRINGS — For 112 years, a priest has cast a white cross into the Spring Bayou as boys in good standing with St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral dived into the water for the chance to find it, the highlight of the annual Epiphany event celebrating the baptism of Jesus Christ. Tradition says the one who emerges grasping the cross is rewarded with a year of blessings. In Tarpon Springs, the largest Epiphany celebration in the Western Hemisphere, boys…
Joanna Theophilopoulos was the Epiphany dove-bearer in 2014, when this photo was taken at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. Now a student at Fordham, she would like to see girls able to dive for the cross. [Times files]