Frankston, an unassuming beachside suburb in Melbourne’s South East, has many similarities with Greece thanks to its unspoilt coastline with waterfront bars frequented by hospitable people. Yesterday, it resembled Greece more than ever due to the visit of Archbishop Makarios to throw the cross as part of the Blessing of the Water ceremony.

Tradition has it that the winner of the cross will be blessed for the entire year. This year, the honour went to Emmanouil Spyroglou, father of three from Templestowe, who managed to get the cross before the other 21 swimmers. “I’m here on holidays,” he said.

“I’ve caught it three times in the past. This is my fourth time,” he said, adding that he had been banned from participating in Theofania by the previous archbishop.

Father Doukas Georgalas, parish priest of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Epiphany at Frankston, could not be happier with the turnout. “It’s a huge spiritual feast,” he said, “and a great honour for us to welcome all these people to an event of huge theological significance. It’s the Baptism of Jesus, and during the Baptism of the Lord people saw the Holy Trinity and the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus in the form of a dove.”

Fr Doukas experienced his calling to the clergy when he was 65 and has been with the church in Frankston for the last 20 years. Before that, he was a grocer.

Archbishop Makarios said the Community has “seen further growth under the guidance of Fr Doukas, who has seen the new church built these past years.”

The growth of the church goes hand in hand with Frankston’s own growth spurt as a City. The area is growing with Smart Cities initiatives being implemented, plans to upgrade the Nepean Highway into a boulevard, openings of new cafes and restaurants and new artworks sprouting in the area all the time.