Since we posted our Tarpon Springs tour and Epiphany preview, we thought we’d share the highlights for anyone who couldn’t make it.

Growing up in Tarpon, I never realized how unique the Greek Orthodox Epiphany celebration was — or how relatively unfamiliar most people were with it — but that became crystal clear when a friend posted photos from this year’s event, and the comments from people outside the area came flooding in: “Everything ok???”

Now that I look at the photo — tons of people thrashing in the water in January — I can see why it’d cause alarm. Thankfully, as far as I’ve heard, there were no injuries or mishaps. (And no pranks, either — years ago, a morning show DJ filled the bayou with dozens of fake crosses, prompting several boys to burst out of the water, triumphantly holding a counterfeit.)

Congratulations to Kosta Pseftelis, who took home the honor this year, out-swimming 48 other divers to retrieve the cross!