Mom always insisted, “The tree stays up through Epiphany,” adding a sprinkle of festive wisdom to our Christmas traditions. For her, Epiphany was more than just a date on the calendar; it was a nod to our Greek roots and a reason to extend the holiday cheer into January. And let me tell you, January in Florida is like a postcard from paradise—the skies transform into a mesmerizing shade of turquoise, creating a backdrop for the ongoing celebrations.
In the charming town of Tarpon Springs (or just Tarpon, as we fondly call it), Epiphany takes center stage in a spectacular display. Our family's ties to Greece, thanks to my great grandfather who settled in Clearwater Beach, make Tarpon Springs a special place of cultural resonance. The town becomes a canvas for vibrant celebrations, showcasing the richness of Greek heritage. Epiphany holds a cherished spot in our hearts, a tradition that links us to our past and lights up the winter days in the Sunshine State.
This post is basically my love letter to Tarpon Springs and my love of all-things-Greek! I’m so grateful that Tampa Aerial Media created this amazing video for this blog. It’s about 25 minutes long, so make a Greek frappe (my favorite recipe is linked below!), watch the video and read on for more.
Tarpon Springs: A Florida Treasure!
Settled by farmers and fishermen in 1876, Tarpon Springs was always a place with a profound connection to water—the bayous were what first attracted settlers, a jumping tarpon gave the city its name, and the bounty of the sea has long provided a living for its inhabitants. It wasn’t long after Tarpon Springs’s first local sponge business popped up in the 1880s that Greek immigrants built up the industry to the point that Tarpon Springs would earn the nickname “the Sponge Capital of the World.”
Today, the sponge docks—which are very much still in use today—serve as a living testament to this heritage. Visitors and residents can stroll along the docks, perusing quaint shops filled with unique gifts and Greek memorabilia. (One such shop is Lori’s Soap & Sponge, which I’ve blogged about before!)
Anyone local who is more interested in learning about the history of Tarpon Springs should check out the exhibits at the Heritage Museum!
The Season of Epiphany
Tarpon Springs is home to more than sponges! There are so many beautiful traditions that have been celebrated in this city for over a hundred years! In the first half of the year, Tarpon Springs will have two major Greek Orthodox holidays to revel in.
Getting ready to dive for the cross!
Diving of the Cross! One person has found it!
Taking place twelve days after Christmas, Epiphany is celebrated as the day Jesus Christ was baptized. After church services, the clergy leads a procession through the streets of Tarpon Springs and down to Spring Bayou, where the Dove Bearer—a young woman—releases a dove to symbolize the Holy Ghost’s appearance, and dozens of young men dive to retrieve a white Greek Orthodox cross. He who does so is declared blessed for the entire year.
In 2024, Epiphany will be celebrated on Saturday, January 6.
Greek Easter
While the Gregorian calendar places Easter on March 31 in 2024, the Julian calendar has it much later in the year, though it’s celebrated in all the ways you’d expect: beautiful church services and family meals around the table.
In 2024, Orthodox Easter will be celebrated on Sunday, May 5, but prepare by having your eggs dyed on Holy Thursday.
Of course, while you’re taking part in these traditions, you’re going to get hungry…
Greek Eats to Enjoy on Your Visit
With such a strong Greek heritage, it’s no surprise that Tarpon Springs is known for its wide selection of Greek food. If you’ve never had the pleasure of trying Greek food, try one of these:
Hummus Spread - Typically served with fresh pita bread, hummus is a tasty dip made with chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic, and it makes for a perfect appetizer.
Greek Salad - Truth is, I could eat a Greek Salad every day. This refreshing variety of salad is made with tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, olives, and of course, feta cheese. It’s topped with a Greek salad dressing. In Tarpon Springs, it’s common to have potato salad served on top or mixed into a Greek Salad. You can read about that here. Either way, I like it. I have my family’s recipe on a handwritten recipe card. It’s top secret and one day, I might publish it here. If you subscribe to this blog for no other reason, it WILL be worth it!
Gyro - Ever tried lamb? This is a great introduction to it! Gyros have lamb and beef (or pork, or chicken), tomato, onion, and fried potatoes wrapped in a pita and drizzled with tzatziki, a cucumber yogurt sauce (which I think is probably the most perfect condiment ever created).
Souvlaki - Souvlaki is skewered meat (usually pork or chicken) seasoned with oregano, rosemary, and paprika. It’s a great walking-around food!
Moussaka - This is essentially an eggplant casserole with ground meat and tomato, though every restaurant (and household) will make it a bit differently.
Dolmades (Stuffed Grape Leaves)— another family favorite my grandmother made growing up. We grew up calling these “fela” which means “leaves.” A rice and meat filling all cooked in a variety of spices (my family uses mint, parsley and dill) and a lemony broth.
Manestra Soup —many people who love Greek food are probably familiar with Avgolemono Soup (a lemony chicken soup), but my family was partial to Manestra - a Greek tomato and orzo soup.
I can personally recommend Hellas on Dodecanese Boulevard. You really can’t go wrong with any of the Greek restaurants on that street, but Hellas has some of the best tzatziki I’ve ever had! In addition to serving classic Greek dishes like those I listed above, Hellas is also a bakery specializing in Greek delicacies like baklava and spanakopita.
While you’re in the neighborhood, you absolutely cannot miss trying a Greek frappe if you run on caffeine like I do. It’s rich, strong, and thick. It also reportedly has health benefits! Hellas is famous for their Greek coffee and frappes. But if you can’t make it there, you just have to give this Greek frappe recipe a try!
In wrapping up my Epiphany traditions, there's always a lingering warmth of celebration in the air. I’ll pack away the ornaments and lights. I’ll eagerly check the news, awaiting the revelation of who found the cross in the crisp winter waters of Spring Bayou in Tarpon Springs. I’ll look at the once-festive, now bare, green tree, and a wave of nostalgia always washes over me, prompting thoughts of my mom. With a hopeful heart, I envision making it to Tarpon for Greek Easter this year, or at least visiting to soak in the sounds of Greek music, enjoy the food, and reflect on my great grandfather whose heritage from a million miles away found a way to flourish right here in sunny Florida.
Love & Sunshine!
Frances
PS. Have a sweet memory of Tarpon Springs or a place that is a “can’t miss?” Share it in the comments! Like and Subscribe!
Photo not in Tarpon (ha ha!). But a Greek frappe there will surely transport you to scenes likes this!