Greece's Epiphany events marking Christ's baptism highlight concerns about water scarcity

MARATHON, Greece (AP) — As Orthodox Christians around the world attended Epiphany ceremonies on Tuesday to commemorate the baptism of Christ, worried officials in Greece used the moment to highlight growing water scarcity.

A priest cast a wooden cross into the visibly depleted waters of Lake Marathon, an artificial reservoir north of Athens. Water stored there and in the other three reservoirs supplying Athens has dropped from more than 1 billion cubic meters in 2022 to about 390 million cubic meters.

The dramatic decline prompted authorities in November to declare a water emergency in the capital.

“This is the third consecutive year of a significant drop in reservoir levels. This means that the problem is right in front of us,” George Stergiou, chairman of the greater Athens water utility, EYDAP, told The Associated Press after attending the Marathon ceremony.

Stergiou warned that prolonged droughts are becoming more frequent and are often followed by intense rainfall that does little to replenish supplies.

The state-run utility has announced a 2.5 billion euro ($2.9 billion), decade-long investment program to reduce water losses and boost water security, including pipe replacements, smart meters and expanded wastewater reuse.

“What we want to do, as a first step, is replace all those uses that today could be met with non-potable water by recycled water,” Stergiou said.

Reservoir manager Sofia Nalpantidou said Marathon’s low level should be viewed in context, noting the lake is connected with the wider system and partly managed for seasonal flood control.

“We usually keep it lower in winter because we want to maintain a buffer,” Nalpantidou said.

Residents have noted the changes.

“In the past, it used to rain a lot more, sometimes daily. That doesn’t happen anymore,” said Antonis Stamou, a 78-year-old retiree who attended Tuesday’s service.

People attend the Epiphany ceremony as a Greek Orthodox priest, center, holding a cross blesses the waters at Lake Marathon, near Athens, on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, where receding water levels reflect successive years of low rainfall across Greece. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

An islet that recently emerged is seen at Lake Marathon near Athens, Greece, on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, as receding water levels reflect years of low rainfall. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Giorgos Chrysinas Water Board (EYDAP) electricity supervisor adjusts a Greek flag on a small boat at Lake Marathon near Athens, Greece, on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, as receding water levels reflect years of low rainfall. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

Giorgos Chrysinas, an electricity supervisor for the Water Board (EYDAP), attends the Epiphany ceremony from a small boat at Lake Marathon near Athens, Greece, on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, as receding water levels reflect years of low rainfall. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

People attend the Epiphany ceremony as a Greek Orthodox priest, center, throws a cross blessing the waters at Lake Marathon, near Athens, on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, where receding water levels reflect successive years of low rainfall across Greece. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

NORMAN, Okla. (AP) — Raegan Beers had 18 points and 10 rebounds, and No. 4 seed Oklahoma overwhelmed No. 13 seed Idaho 89-59 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday night.

Beers, a senior center, also had four assists and four blocks. Sahara Williams had 17 points and 10 rebounds, Aaliyah Chavez scored 15 points and Payton Verhulst added 14 for the Sooners (25-7), who stopped Idaho's win streak at 18 games. The Vandals hadn’t lost since Jan. 10.

The Sooners pushed the tempo early and were intentional about being balanced. Eventually, they wore the Vandals down.

“I think we’re setting the tone for how we want to play going on into March,” Williams said.

Oklahoma will play No. 5 seed Michigan State in the second round on Sunday. The Spartans outlasted No. 12 Colorado State 65-62 in the early game on Friday.

Kyra Gardner scored 19 points and Hope Hassmann added 12 for Idaho (29-6). The Vandals shot 24.7% from the field and made just 10 of 46 3-pointers.

Oklahoma played one of its most efficient offensive halves of the season to go up 57-35 at the break. The Sooners shot 59.5% from the field and committed just four turnovers. Williams had 13 points and Verhulst had 12 at the break.

The Sooners opened the second half on an 8-1 run, including six points from Beers, to go up 65-36.

Williams drained a shot from beyond halfcourt at the end of the third quarter, but she released it just a bit too late to count. The Sooners took a 76-38 lead into the fourth.

The Sooners created positive energy and the home crowd added more.

“When we have fun, I wouldn’t say a win is guaranteed, but we play a lot better when we have fun and have a smile on our face and we rebound and we score and we assist the ball,” Williams said.

Idaho coach Arthur Moreira said there might be more smiling ahead for the Sooners.

“They’re just a complete team,” he said. “I think they’re equipped to make a big run here. As I was scouting them, it was fun to watch.”

Chavez had five assists and no turnovers, shot a solid 6 for 14 from the field and had six rebounds in her first taste of March Madness.

Strangely, she missed her first two free throws before making two later. She made 70 of 72 free throws during Southeastern Conference play and entered the night shooting 94% from the line overall this season.

Oklahoma made 15 of 21 layups while Idaho made 4 of 19.

Beers was a significant factor in both of those stats. She made five of her six layups and was a pest around the rim defensively. She was a key reason Idaho made just 10 of 35 shots inside the 3-point line.

The women's team made the 30-minute trip to Oklahoma City on Thursday to watch the Idaho men play Houston.

Many of the fans that watched that 78-47 loss showed up in Norman on Friday.

“Just to be in the Idaho section was so cool,” Hassmann said. “And then also to see those fans travel here today — kind of had our own Idaho section, which was super cool to hear them cheer for us and our band and cheerleaders.”

AP March Madness bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-womens-bracket and coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/march-madness

Idaho guard Katlin Kangur (14) goes up to shoot beside Oklahoma guard Aaliyah Chavez (2) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)

Oklahoma center Raegan Beers (15) blocks a shot by Idaho guard Ana Pinheiro (37) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 20, 2026, Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)