On 6 January Piana degli Albanesi keeps the Byzantine feast of the Theophany. A pontifical liturgy starts at 10.30 in the cathedral of San Demetrio, then clergy and girls in traditional costume, baskets of oranges in hand, walk in procession to the Tre Cannoli fountain.
There, while the "Në Jordan" chant recalls Christ's baptism in the Jordan, the eparch dips a wooden cross three times into the water, holding a three-candle candelabrum and a sprig of rue. A white dove is lowered from the roof of the Odigitria church as a symbol of the Holy Spirit, and blessed oranges — a sign of rebirth — are handed to the onlookers.
