The President of the Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, and his wife, Ms. Maja Ivanova, attended today the celebration of the great Christian holiday - Epiphany in Veles.

Among the 49 Orthodox believers who entered today the waters of the river of Vardar in Veles, the 21-year-old Vlatko Stojanov caught the cross.

The sacred act was performed by Metropolitan Agafangel in the presence of the numerous clergy and Orthodox believers and citizens of Veles.

Vlatko Stojanov, who said that it was his first time participating in the act of capturing the Holy Cross, received a gift by President Ivanov – a Macedonian cross with Ohrid ruby. Metropolitan Agafangel awarded him with a golden cross.

President Ivanov and his wife Ms. Maja Ivanova attended the morning service in the church "Assumption of Virgin Mary", held by Metropolitan Agathangel and afterwards they joined the procession from the church "Assumption of Virgin Mary" to the pedestrian bridge on the Vardar River, where they attended the act of consecration of the waters of Vardar River and the ceremony of the laying of the Holy Cross.