PHOTO Epiphany swimming organized throughout Montenegro

The traditional Epiphany swimming of the believers of the Serbian Orthodox Church (SPC) for the Holy Cross, on the occasion of the religious holiday of the Epiphany, was held across Montenegro today.

Bogdan Jovićević was the first to swim to the Holy Cross in Podgorica.

The Media Bureau Agency reports that the swim for the Holy Cross in Podgorica was held at Sastavci, the place where the Ribnica River flows into the Morača.

"God is calling. I would like to thank everyone for gathering in large numbers. We are all winners," said Jovićević.

Archpriest Mirčeta Šljivančanin addressed the participants and citizens who followed the event.

"This is a wonderful review. Youth is an indicator that there is no old man or child in the church, but everyone is equal. Everyone is a winner because they have taken the kindness of Ribnica and Morača, which bring greetings from this end of the world to unknown and distant regions. I would like I also congratulate the girls who showed that they have the courage of men," said Šljivančanin.

Radmilović first to the Holy Cross in Nikšić

An Epiphany swim was organized at Lake Krupac, near Nikšić, and Vuk Radmilović (23) from Nikšić was the first to swim to the Holy Cross.

As he said, he swam four years ago and he is especially glad that this year he was the first to swim to the cross.

As a reward to Radmilović, Bishop Metodije of Budamiljansko-Nikšić presented a gold coin with the image of Jesus Christ, while the President of the Municipality of Nikšić, Marko Kovačević, presented him with an embroidered prayer to St. Vasilij Ostroš the Wonderworker, the work of the nuns of the Monastery of St. Apostle Luke in Nikšić Parish.

Great Nikšić men and women of various ages took part in the Epiphany swimming.

Zajak first to the Holy Cross on Prevlaka near Tivat

Former water polo player VK "Kataro" and now sailor Vasilije Zejak, is the winner of the swimming for the Holy Cross, which was held on Prevlaka near Tivat.

Simona Crevar was the fastest among the children's competitors. Around 90 believers, 30 of them children, participated in the competition, and the cross was lowered into the sea from the southwestern part of Prevlaka, from a boat by the abbot of the Prevlaka monastery, Archimandrite Benedict.

Bar: Raznatović the first, presented with an icon

Epiphany, an Orthodox religious holiday, was marked today in Bar by swimming for the Holy Cross on the city beach.

Over 100 citizens participated in this custom, and women, children and foreign nationals also swam.

Vuk Ražnatović, an eighteen-year-old from Bar, was the first to reach the Holy Cross.

According to tradition, he was presented with a silver icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, which, like the Holy Cross, he will keep in his house until next year and when the Epiphany is celebrated again.

On the occasion of the Epiphany today, a festive matinee was held in the church of St. John Vladimir at eight o'clock, followed by the holy liturgy with the Great Water Consecration at eight o'clock, while the swimming for the epiphany cross began at noon.