Theophany is the celebration of Christ's Baptism.
The baptismal font, for Orthodox Christians, is understood as a spiritual womb. During the week of Theophany the Priest blesses the homes in the parish and prepares for the arrival of the Bishop for the Sunday liturgy. Immediately following the sunday liturgy for the feast of Theophany, Bishop Soterios goes in procession to the Vancouver harbor, boards a boat and proceeds just off shore at Kitsalano Beach. He offers prayers of blessing for the gift of water including the Pacific Ocean. Following the blessing he takes his hand-cross, which is tied with a sprig of basil, and throws it into the water.