HUNDREDS of people came to Frankston Pier for the annual Greek Orthodox Blessing of the Waters last week.
Each year, a cross is thrown into the water and is chased down by a crowd of people keen to claim it. The person who retrieves the cross receives a year of good luck in return, according to members of the Greek Orthodox community.
Last Friday 22 people vied for the cross, which was thrown into the water by Archbishop Makarios. It was retrieved by Emmanouil Spyroglou (pictured above), a father of three who has plenty of experience fighting for the honour.
“I’m here on holidays,” Spyroglou said. “I’ve done this before many years ago in Port Melbourne. I’ve caught it three times in the past. This is my fourth time.”
