Epiphany is celebrated in the Orthodox world with a liturgy, followed by swimming for the Holy Cross in consecrated water. This tradition also survived in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), and there are photos of how it looked in our country in cities with a majority Orthodox population.
In the previous few days, it had rained extensively, so the rivers in many places were unsafe for swimming. Due to bad weather conditions, this year traditional swimming did not take place in several municipalities. However, liturgies were held in these municipalities, water was consecrated, and in some, a symbolic winner was announced.
Yesterday, the high water level of the Sava river made it impossible for the faithful in Bosanska Gradiska to swim for the Holy Cross, but the swimmers bathed in the river, and the apostolic draw decided that this year’s winner is Vladimir Nezic.
The winning title of swimming for the Holy Cross was awarded by the decision of the organizers in Bosanska Dubica to Sladjana Mijatovic, and she was also presented with an eight-gram gold coin and an icon of St. John the Baptist. Swimming was also not held.
In the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Derventa, yesterday, on this great Christian holiday of the Epiphany, a liturgy was served, and after that, the faithful only went around the temple in a procession, without swimming in the river.
Twenty-two-year-old David Sremac is the winner of the Epiphany swim for the Holy Cross, which was held yesterday on the Sava river, at the kayak-canoe club ”Premium” in Bosanski Brod.
Srdjan Lero from Bileca was the first to swim to the Holy Cross in the traditional Epiphany swim for the Holy Cross, which was held yesterday at Lake Bileca.
Twenty-two-year-old Teodora Terzic from Bijeljina is the winner of the Epiphany swim for the Holy Cross, which was organized yesterday on the Sava River in Brcko, Klix.ba reports.
E.Dz.
