The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, today in Ohrid, in honor of the celebration of the great Christian holiday - Epiphany, attended the solemn event of throwing the cross into the waters of the Ohrid Lake.

President Ivanov, congratulating Epiphany to all citizens, noted that this holiday brings happiness and prosperity not only for those who catch the cross, but for everyone else.

”It’s great to be here, among these people, when we are filled with a positive energy. These holidays unite and bring all people together. You see, there are no differences, we are all here to celebrate and congratulate each other successes, for the successes unite us, as memories do”, President Ivanov said, adding that the act of throwing the cross into the waters of the Ohrid Lake, today, as well as throughout the years, was really marvelous.

He added that the restoration and preservation of this tradition in our people on the occasion of the Epiphany is a symbol of a new life, of the appearance of God. “So many people gathered to greet the one who caught the cross and to wish him all the best in the year to come is really marvelous”, the President said.

For the fifth time, in the sacred waters of the Ohrid Lake, Mitko Topencharov from Varosh caught the cross. He wished all believers happiness, health, welfare and peace. "We have grown up with this tradition. We have been doing this since we were very young. We cherish this tradition since we were 12 years old, especially here in old town", Topencharov said, being this his 22 time to swim in the waters of the Ohrid Lake on this day.

President Ivanov presented Topencharov a valuable icon of the patron of Ohrid "St.. Clement", made by the old masters in the monastery Zrze.

The act of throwing the cross and the sanctification of the waters of the Ohrid Lake marks the day when St. John the Baptist christened Jesus Christ in the river Jordan. This holiday is celebrated since the second century, and this act of catching the cross marks the union of the man with Christ. It is believed that the one who would catch the cross will be blessed with happiness, health and welfare throughout the whole year.

This solemn act of sanctification of the waters of the Ohrid Lake and throwing of the cross, was attended today by tens of thousands of Orthodox believers from Ohrid and from other parts of Macedonia and visitors from abroad. The sanctification ceremony of the waters of the Ohrid Lake was led by Metropolitan of Debar and Kicevo, Timotej.