Greek Heritage on Florida's Gulf Coast

The imprint of Greek culture is unmistakable in the city of Tarpon Springs. Incorporated in the nineteenth century, the discovery of sponge beds in the Gulf of Mexico made the city a draw for sponge divers, many of whom came from the Greek isles. Greeting visitors at the entrance to the waterfront docks of Tarpon Springs, on Dodecanese Boulevard stands a bronze statue, the Sponge Diver Memorial, dedicated in 2002. The statue is recognizes the men who worked in one of the early industries of the city, contributing to the success of Tarpon Springs.

The docks feature both working and historic sponge vessels, sponge and photographic displays of the days when the industry thrived. An outbreak of red time decimated the sponge beds and the commercial trade.

Another significant cultural marker in Tarpon Springs is Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral. While the original church, dedicated to the Patron Saint of Greece was built between 1905 and 1907, the current, much larger and imposing cathedral was completed in 1943. The postcard below commemorates the new structure.

The form of the building is a honey-colored modern structure with clean lines, a tower and a dome reminiscent of medieval Orthodox churches. The interior is filled with colorful frescoes that are made more intense against the white walls.

Among the many notable aspects of Greek heritage in Tarpon Springs are the Epiphany celebrations in January which include diving for the cross in Spring Bayou. A procession leaves from Saint Nicholas to Spring Bayou led by the Archbishop.

The feast includes the release of a white dove, the blessing of boats, and the dive for the wooden cross tossed into the body of water. The festival is a commemoration of the baptism of Jesus Christ by Saint John the Baptist. After the diving contest, revelers (some wearing traditional clothing) enjoy Greek food, music, and dancing, collectively known as Glendi.

Tarpon Springs continues to have the highest concentration of citizens of Greek heritage. The Epiphany celebrations take place every year. The significant cultural contribution of the Greek community to the region did not go unnoticed by Hollywood. The movie Beneath the 12-Mile Reef was filmed in Tarpon Springs and released in 1953.