The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, and his wife, Ms. Maja Ivanova, and the members of the diplomatic corps attending the traditional diplomatic reception, today, in Dojran, attended the celebration of the great Christian holiday of Epiphany.

Happiest among the fifteen men who tried to catch the Holy Cross was Mr. Risto Stamov from the village Nikolic in Dojran. He received a Cross with Macedonian ruby from President Ivanov.

"This is my second time to catch the Holy Cross. The first time, two years ago, it brought me happiness – I was employed and now I wish health, happiness and prosperity. With that blessing I will visit, with this Holy Cross, all Christian homes in the municipality of Doiran", Mr. Stamov said.

Dr. Thomas Michael Bayer, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria, said he was happy to have had the opportunity to visit Gevgelija Dojran.

"I am very grateful to the President and the municipality that enabled us to attend this religious celebration along with the people of this region", the Austrian Ambassador Bayer said.

Pleasure of staying in Gevgelija and Dojran was also expressed by Mr. Ernesto Massimino Bellelli, Ambassador of the Italian Republic.

"I am very happy to be here. This is a very nice event. It is nice to see that people keep and maintain the tradition. I hope this New Year will be prosperous for everyone, for Macedonia and for the Macedonian citizens", Ambassador Bellelli said.

Earlier, President Ivanov and the representatives of the diplomatic corps in Gevgelija attended the presentation of the investment opportunities of the municipalities in the southeast region.

Organized by the Municipality of Gevgelija, the investment opportunities were presented to President Ivanov and the representatives of the diplomatic corps by the mayors of Gevgelija, Ivan Frangov, of Bogdanci, Anastasija Olumceva, of Dojran, Borche Stamov, and the mayor of Valandovo, Nikolche Curlinovski.

President Ivanov and the diplomats visited in Gevgelija the National Museum of Gevgelija and the XIX century hammam.

In the Cabinet of the President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today, a ceremonial change of the national flag was held.

The change of the national flag of the Republic of Macedonia in the Cabinet of the President was traditionally performed by the Guard Unit of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia.

The ceremony of changing the national flag aims at raising the sense and respect for the flag of the Republic of Macedonia, as a sign and symbol of the statehood of our country.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, attended today the traditional Christmas lunch, hosted by the Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church - Ohrid Archbishopric, H.H. Stefan for the state leadership on the occasion of the celebration of St. Stefan and the third day of Christmas.

The Christmas lunch was held in the residence of the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, H.H. Stefan, and besides President Ivanov, it was attended by the Speaker, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski and the Prime Minister, Mr. Nikola Gruevski. The lunch was attended by some of the members of the Holy Synod of the Macedonian Orthodox Church.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, together with his wife, Ms. Maja Ivanova, attended today the Christmas liturgy in the St. Clement of Ohrid Cathedral in Skopje which was led by the Archbishop of Ohrid and Macedonia, H.H. Stefan.

The central celebration of Christmas at the Cathedral in Skopje was attended by the President of the Assembly, Mr. Trajko Veljanoski and the President of the Government, Mr. Nikola Gruevski.

"Let me congratulate all Orthodox Christians this great holiday, Nativity of Christ - Christmas and wish good health, joy, happiness, prosperity to each of us and to the whole country. These holidays are a time when we wish all the best and this unity we have during the holidays to be maintained throughout the year, to help each other and to share solidarity. We should help those in need and pay attention to everyone. Christ is Born, indeed, He is Born! Many happy returns to this holiday" President Ivanov said.

The Ivanov family, this year again, followed the tradition practiced on the Christmas Eve.

On the occasion of Christmas and Christmas Eve traditions, on the eve of the Christian holiday Christmas, President Ivanov and his family, his wife Maja and his son Ivan, received today guests in their residence – young folk dancers from the Cultural and Artistic Association "Nikola Jonkov-Vapcarov".

With Christmas carol, in front of the door of the presidential residence, the young folk dancers announced their arrival. They were welcomed at the entrance by President Ivanov, his wife Maja and his son Ivan.

After hearing the Christmas song, the hosts invited the children in their home and gave them Christmas gifts. The Ivanov family offered the guests juice and cookies.

The young folk dancers played several Macedonian folk dances and received gifts. They said they are happy for this reception, and some of them were very much excited to visit the home of the President on Christmas.

Ivan Ivanov said that he is rejoicing this day that reminds him of his childhood and the related Christmas traditions.

"Today, our home is filled with happiness, there are many joyful faces, they are the youngest group of CAA "Nikola Jonkov-Vapcarov", who made our home even prettier with their presence, with their primordial Macedonian folk song and national costume where the Macedonian way of living, history and folklore is written. As a child, I regularly followed this tradition, and even today, although I am not a child, I visit my grandfather on this day. His smile is priceless when he sees his grandchildren on Christmas Eve", Ivan Ivanov said, who, on this occasion, congratulated Christmas to all Orthodox Christians.

Surprise for the guests was the Ivanov family pet Alex. They spent some time playing with Alex.

The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, accompanied by the Chief of Staff of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia, Lieutenant General Goranco Koteski, on the first day of the New Year in 2014, visited the members of the Army Barracks "Alekso Demnievski-Bauman" in Veles.

"Traditionally, the first day of the New Year I am with the members of the Macedonian Army. This year it is the members of the Army Barracks in Veles. Congratulating you the New Year, I wish you all the best in your lives; may all your wishes come true. At the same time, congratulating you the New Year, on behalf of the citizens of the Republic of Macedonia, I express great gratitude for everything you do for the Republic of Macedonia, performing your professional duties. This is, indeed, an opportunity to greet all the members of the Army of the Republic of Macedonia serving in peacekeeping missions abroad and wish them happy new year. As every year, this year again, we wish to achieve our strategic goals - Macedonia as member of NATO", President Ivanov said in Veles.

Furthermore, President Ivanov congratulated the New Year to all citizens of the Republic of Macedonia.

"I wish you good health, happiness, prosperity in all areas. I wish you personal happiness and joy and may you spend the year in good mood! May all your wishes come true, the intimate ones and those of your families", President Ivanov said during his visit to the barracks in Veles.