President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova attended the celebrations of the Christian holiday Epiphany in Ohrid and Struga. President Siljanovska-Davkova emphasized that Epiphany carries a message of faith, unity, and spiritual rebirth, connecting generations of believers across time.
Metropolitan Georgij of Debar-Kichevo blessed the waters of Lake Ohrid and the Crn Drim River, casting the holy cross as part of the centuries-old tradition symbolizing the baptism of Christ. Thousands of faithful joined the ritual, praying for spiritual renewal.
In Ohrid, Martin Godzo retrieved the cross from the lake and received a 19th-century bridal belt from Galichnik as a gift from the President. In Struga, Petar Chakareski was honored with a similar belt from Bitola. At the central celebration in Skopje, 24-year-old Darko Mitrovikj succeeded in retrieving the cross from the Vardar River.
Skopje Mayor Orce Gjorigjievski extended his greetings over the holiday, praising the unity and devotion of the people, saying it proves that faith and tradition endure across generations as the foundation of identity. He extended congratulations to Archbishop Stefan and the clergy of the Macedonian Orthodox Church, as well as to the many swimmers who entered the waters in search of the cross.
SDSM leader Venko Filipche, who attended the celebration in Ohrid, also extended greetings to the citizens. Previously, greetings were extended also by PM Hristijan Mickoski and by parliament Speaker Afrim Gashi.