Skopje, 19 January 2026 (MIA) — Believers are celebrating Epiphany, one of the holiest days for Orthodox Christians and a religious public holiday, with the Macedonian Orthodox Church holding its traditional Great Theophany Blessing of Water and lowering a cross in the Vardar for believers to retrieve.

The holiday marks two events in the life of Jesus Christ, according to the Bible. The first event occurred when the three wise men, or kings, visited the infant baby Jesus. The second event was linked to the baptism of Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist.

Church officials told MIA that 160 people will attempt to retrieve the cross from the Vardar this year.

According to Father Blagoja from the Skopje Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, people found to be eligible were only those who had submitted a sports medical certificate, a doctor-signed document confirming they were medically fit for sports, as required by the Epiphany event organizers.

An Epiphany liturgy, led by the Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia Stefan, is taking place at the Nativity of Virgin Mary church in downtown Skopje.

Next, Archbishop Stefan will perform the Great Theophany Blessing of Water, placing the Holy Cross from the Sloboda Bridge into the Vardar and blessing its water. Believers will then jump into the river to retrieve it.

Epiphany ceremonies will be held throughout the country, with the largest event being held in Ohrid, traditionally attracting a number of believers and visitors.

The Epiphany liturgy in Ohrid will be led, for the first time, by the new Metropolitan of the Diocese of Debar and Kichevo, Metropolitan Georgy, who succeeded late Metropolitan Timotej and who will place the Holy Cross in the waters of Lake Ohrid. 

President Gordana Siljanovska Davkova will attend the Epiphany celebrations in Ohrid.

Believers believe the one who retrieves the wooden cross will have a prosperous year. mr/