Epiphany cross dive celebration in Tarpon Springs returns Monday

Epiphany cross dive on Monday

FOX 13's Regina Gonzalez spoke with last year's cross retriever and he shares his advice to this year's new divers.

TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. - A Tarpon Springs tradition will enter its 119th year as the annual Epiphany Celebration on Monday.

67 teens will jump into the Bayou to find the wooden cross, which promises a year of blessings.

John Hittos from Clearwater. Epiphany cross dive celebration.

John Hittos from Clearwater emerged from the Spring Bayou and was carried through the streets of Tarpon Springs after retrieving the cross in a matter of minutes at last year's epiphany celebration.

"You do feel good being up there," Hittos recalled. "But, at the end of the day, it's not just about you. It's about Jesus. His baptism and the celebration for the church. You know, it's a moment to rejoice with all your fellow divers, your brothers in Christ."

Thankful for a year of immense blessings for him and his family, John is now preparing to hand back the cross in Monday's ceremony, so 67 young men from across the Bay Area can dive in for a chance at finding it.

Teens attempt to retrieve the cross from the water. Epiphany cross dive celebration.

One of them will be first-time diver Alexander Broderick of Spring Hill Christ the Savior Church.

On Sunday, before the blessing of the fleet, he got to meet John, who offered him some sound advice.

"Don't be so nervous that you're just trying to go through the motions, rush through it," Hittos told Broderick. "Take a deep breath. Thank God to be there and just enjoy what you're doing."

"I was anxious, but then John actually helped me with that.," Broderick told FOX 13. "I'm really grateful to be able to participate in this event. It's not like not too many people are able to, and it's just really special since it is my first time doing it."

Known to be the largest epiphany celebration in the Western Hemisphere, this year's will take on an even more significant meaning, as the community counts their blessings and honors their resilience after seeing extensive damage from last year's storms.

"Everyone lost something. It was very detrimental to the community. But being here to come together, it'll be great," Hittos said.

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