The traditional water consecration of the Greek community in Geretsried has to fall into the water.
As in 2020 and 2021, this is due to the corona pandemic.
Geretsried - Orthodox churches consecrate water on the day of Epiphany on January 6th, so that the faithful can in turn bless houses, fields and animals with it.
There is also the time-honored tradition of consecrating all waters on this day.
In Geretsried, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Germany would have carried out a very special ceremony this time: the very first consecration of water in the new indoor swimming pool.
"It would have been our dearest wish to celebrate the consecration of the waters in Geretsried," said Archpriest Apostolos Malamoussis when asked by our newspaper.
He had already spoken to Mayor Michael Müller whether he would attend.
But in view of the infection process and the dangerous Corona variant Omikron, you have to be very careful.
“Our bishop has instructed us not to celebrate public water consecrations,” Malamoussis said.
Service in the Petruskirche
This means that the traditional ceremonies on the Isar in Munich and in the Geretsrieder indoor swimming pool are not possible.
He accepted this precaution, even if he was very sad about it.
“As a church, we have to be a role model and avoid any risk.” Instead, a service will be celebrated in Geretsrieder Petruskirche on Thursday, January 6th, under the applicable infection protection regulations.
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Apostolos Malamoussis is archpriest in the Greek Orthodox Church.
© Markus Götzfried
The consecration of the waters of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Germany and the Greek community of Geretsried is a big festival every year.
A priest throws a wooden cross dipped in holy water into the swimming pool.
Young people and children are bringing it back.
According to custom, whoever reaches it first should have particularly good luck in the New Year.
2020 break due to corona lockdowns
In 2020 the tradition paused due to the general corona lockdown.
Thus, the last consecration of the water in the old indoor pool took place in 2019 - even there under exceptional circumstances.
The roof had to be freed from the heavy snow load beforehand.
There was a disaster in the district.
The roof of the council chambers had not yet been shoveled, which is why the Greek community could not celebrate there after the consecration of the water.
Traditionally, the vasilopita, a Greek New Year cake with a hidden coin, is cut on this occasion.
Again, that is not possible.
Hopes rest for 2023
Archpriest Apostolos Malamoussis has his hopes for the year 2023: “We'll be celebrating twice.” Until then, a Christ icon will watch over the people in the new indoor swimming pool.
The archpriest gave them for the inauguration.
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By the way: Everything from the region is now also available in our regular Wolfratshausen-Geretsried newsletter.
