The custom of swimming for the Christian cross is older than Christianity itself, and Serbian Orthodox Church and its believers mark Bogojavljenje, or the day when Jesus Christ was baptized.

At one of the biggest and most beautiful Christian holidays, the traditional swims for the Christian Cross are being organized around Serbia, and a number of other customs and rituals are being practiced. BogojavljenjeAccording to the Serbian traditional belief, the believers today say to each other “Christ is here!”, “He is here, indeed!”, and among Orthodox temples, the Epiphany water, which is considered to be healing, is being consecrated.

It is being kept in the house throughout the year, or until the next big consecration. It is believed that the Epiphany water keeps away the unclean forces, heals the ill and protects the healthy. Still, something that is the most characteristic for the day when John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ in the Jordan River is swimming for the Christian cross.

Because of that, no matter what weather conditions, brave believers around Serbia are ready to swim for the Christian cross. They are mostly young, but it is not a rarity to see a lady at this traditional event.

Krstovdan (Holly Cross Day) is marked a day before Bogojavljenje and it is the first fast day after Christmas, whereas at the night of Bogojavljenje, it is a custom to make a wish.

This year as well across many Serbian cities and town people are going to swim for the Christian cross. In Belgrade, for the 19th time, swimming in the Danube in Zemun is being organized. Marking Bogojavljenje starts at 9 am with the liturgy at the Temple of St. father Nikolaj and is continued with the lithium across central streets of Zemun to the Zemun Quay where the race for the Cross starts at noon sharp.

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Brave and bold swimmers will traditionally be in Ada Ciganlija, Novi Sad, Niš, Čačak, Prokuplje, Pirot, Zrenjanin, Kragujevac, Kraljevo, Užice, Jagodina, Ruma, Negotin, Grocka, Surčin, Majdanpek, Vlasotince and other places. All the contestants have to have medical report and cannot be younger than 18 and older than 60 years.

Bogojavljenje is Christian holiday which marks the day when John the Baptist baptized 30-years old Jesus Christ in Jordan River. According to the Bible, right after the baptism, and it was done by dipping in the water for three times, the sky opened, God’s voice was heard and he announced that Jesus was his son and then, Holy Spirit shaped like a pigeon landed on Jesus’ shoulder. With this baptism, Jesus marked the beginning of his mission and sermon. 

Besides the swimming for the Christian cross, Serbian people attach many other customs for this holiday. One of them is that Bogojavljenje actually tells what the weather will be like throughout the year. Strong frost and snow forecast the fertile year, and clear sky the drought. There are also many beliefs which tell the unmarried girls to whom they will get married etc.

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BogojavljenjeChristian CrossSwimming for the Christian cross

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