January 6, which symbolizes the holy day of the Blessed Water, is celebrated every year in the city of Berat in central Albania as a great holiday for the Christian believers.
January 6, the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord, the Savior Jesus Christ, is also known as the day of the Blessed Water and for Berati believers it is one of the biggest celebrations of the Church.
Today’s ceremony began early in the morning at the Church of St. Demetrius, in the center of the city, where after the religious rites were performed, Father Johan Qako, with the cross in his hand and to the sound of the Church bells, went to the Osum River to throw the symbol. Seven young men had jumped into the cold water of the river to await the throwing of the cross.
The cross was caught by 22-year-old Vasil Tapija, a resident of the “Gorica” neighborhood in Berat. For the young man who catches the Cross of the Blessed Water, the Church and the Metropolis donated the symbolic sum of 15,000 ALL.
Then, with the cross in hand, he went to every house in the neighborhoods of Gorica, Mangalem and Kala, where he received gifts from the residents. The young man says that this is the fourth year that he jumps into the river for the cross and the first time that catched it. He says he feels happy and wishes all believers on this blessed day.
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