Epiphany in Korça/ Orthodox believers celebrate Holy Water Day

2026-01-06 12:10:00, Aktualitet CNA

In the city of Korça, Orthodox believers celebrated Holy Water Day.

On January 6, according to annual tradition, the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ organized the ceremony of throwing the cross into the water.

Epiphany in Korça/ Orthodox believers celebrate Holy Water Day

Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, Korça

The religious ceremony began with the Holy Mass in the cathedral and then the long procession of believers headed towards the fountain in the garden near the "Themistokles Germenji" high school, where the ceremony of throwing the cross into the water took place.

Epiphany in Korça/ Orthodox believers celebrate Holy Water Day

Like every year, some young people braved the low temperatures and jumped into the water at the moment of the cross throwing, motivated to retrieve it and receive the blessing. The cross was retrieved from the water by young Ervis Rakipi, who then handed it over to the Metropolitan, His Eminence Anastasios, for blessing. For him, this is the third time he has managed to catch the cross.

"It's the third time. I feel very good, I felt that I would catch the cross and I did it. I jump every year. I wish everyone the best of luck," said the young man.

This sacred rite for Orthodox believers marks the feast of the Baptism of Christ, when he was baptized in the waters of the Jordan River by Saint John the Baptist.

Epiphany in Korça/ Orthodox believers celebrate Holy Water Day

According to belief, on this day all waters are blessed and believers rush to obtain blessed water to store at home until January 6 of the following year. /CNA