Thousands gathered on Sunday at a Port Melbourne pier for the annual Greek Orthodox Blessing of the Water festivities.
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The Blessing of the Water ceremony culminates with a cross being thrown off the Princes Pier into the ocean and retrieved by people diving into Port Phillip Bay.
Bishop Iavokos told Fairfax Media the ritual pays homage to the baptism of the baby Jesus in the River Jordan and is one of the largest celebrations in the Orthodox Christian calendar.
He said those who took the plunge were also blessed with sunny 25 degree weather.
More than 8000 people were expected to turn out for festivities which include a feast of Greek food, dancing, folk music and rides.
The annual celebration has been held on Port Melbourne beach for 31 years where many Greek migrants first arrived by boat in the 1950s and 60s.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Opposition Leader Matthew Guy joined representatives from several faiths and multicultural organisations at the pier.
Mr Andrews described Victoria as Australia's multicultural capital and said it was important to celebrate the enormous contribution that Greeks had made to the state.
