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8 THE SHEPHERD • FEBRUARY 2024 • SAINT SPYRIDON GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO Ep i phany Cross Dive & Luncheon 2024 At Saint Spyridon’s Annual Epiphany Cross Dive & Luncheon on January 7th, over 240 parishioners celebrated the Blessing of the Waters and the Feast of Epiphany at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina where 17 young faithful participated in the tradi- tional Cross dive service held for the 45th year. The divers who braved the cool waters on a beautiful San Diego day were Thomas Almaraz, Manoli Andronikou, George Bur- rell, James Burrell, George Capetanakis, Elizabeth Dennis, Theo Huntalas, Andrew Kaitson, Tasos Kapetanios, Luka Maude, Xaris Moskos, Gregory Pappas, Maria Paraskevopoulos, Sia Paraskevopoulos, Alexios Savvides, John Savvides, and Yianni Trakas. Congratulations to George Capeta- nakis who retrieved the Cross and the bless- ings associated with this achievement. In the afternoon’s highlight event, and in rec- ognition of her lifelong service and devotion to her faith, including more than 6 decades serving ministries at St. Spyridon, the 2024 Leon Balaban Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Elaine Arapostathis. The Epiphany Luncheon featured the Ninth Annual Cakes for A Cause Benefit in which Vasilopita cake centerpieces, baked by Saint SpyridonPhiloptochosmembers and friends, were purchased through a live auction rais- ing over $6,000. This year’s beneficiary was the Philoptochos Kids ‘n’ Cancer program, a ministry of our San Francisco Metropolis which provides support for children afflicted with cancer, and their families. Our St. Spyr- idon Anthousa Chapter is actively involved in supporting this program, each year host- ing the Angels Christmas Party for Kids ‘n’ Cancer families in our Cypress Room. Next year’s 46th Annual Epiphany Cross Dive & Luncheon will take place on Sunday, January 12, 2025. Watch a short video clip from the dive at www.theshepherdnews.com