As always, in the Orthodox Churches of Vlora this feast was celebrated in all the churches. After the Divine Liturgy the Blessing of the Water was conducted on the premises of the churches. In the Church of St. Theodores, after the Divine Liturgy, all believers were directed to a place called Moli of Vlora. After the ceremony, the Cross was thrown into the sea by Father Kostandin Prifti. The Cross this year was caught by an Orthodox believer, Klodi Shani.
In Selenica at the Church of Saint Athanasios the Divine Liturgy was celebrated in the morning, during which the greeting was read of the Metropolitan of Berati, Vlora and Kanina, His Grace Ignati, addressed to the believers on the occasion of this holy day.
After the ceremonies were performed in the Church, the believers headed to the Vjosa River. Again this year the four young men of Selenica braved the cold waters of the river and swam in the water to catch the Cross. This time the Cross was caught by the young Mateo Bombaj. Afterwards the believers honored the Cross and wished Mateo to have a prosper year.
Atë Spiro Bulika