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SYMBOLISM OF THE HOLY CROSS SWIM ACROSS REPUBLIKA SRPSKA

On January 19, the Orthodox Christian holiday of Epiphany, the traditional swim for the Holy Cross took place in numerous cities and municipalities across Republika Srpska. This ritual, which follows a liturgical service, involves participants swimming 33 meters, symbolizing the years of Christ’s life.

SYMBOLISM OF THE HOLY CROSS SWIM ACROSS REPUBLIKA SRPSKA
PHOTO: Magdalena Kalaba

This year’s event saw hundreds of swimmers taking part across Republika Srpska. In Banja Luka, David Dardić was the first to reach the cross, while in Trebinje, twelve-year-old Aleksej Budinčić claimed the honor. Nine-year-old Vuk Jeftić was the youngest winner, triumphing in the Bioštica River near Sokolac.

Kostajnica hosted its first-ever Holy Cross swim, where Nemanja Bijelić led a group of 16 participants to victory. In Prijedor, Milenko Krčmar was the first to reach the cross, while Davor Bujak did so in the Željeznica River in Istočna Ilidža.

In Brod, and Gradiška, and other towns, participants braved the waters of the Sava River. Pavle Popović emerged victorious in Kotor Varoš during the eighth annual swim in the Vrbanja River, which attracted 30 swimmers. In Šipovo, Dušan Maksimović claimed the cross, while 15-year-old Lidija Topalović triumphed in Foča’s Ćehotina River among 43 swimmers, including five women.

Miro Žuža led a group of 25 swimmers to victory in Višegrad, while Slaviša Despotović claimed the cross in Busija Lake on Majevica, competing against 120 participants. Vukašin Pauković swam to victory in the Una River at Novi Grad’s Ada beach.

THE MEANING OF THE HOLY CROSS SWIM

The tradition of swimming for the Holy Cross dates back centuries and symbolizes the human journey through trials and tribulations to achieve spiritual purity. Clergy explain that the cross represents suffering, while the act of carrying it signifies the struggles each person faces in life, just as Jesus Christ carried His cross.

While the event is often misconstrued as a competition, its true purpose lies in unity and faith. Participants collectively strive to bring the cross from the water, symbolizing community and solidarity. It is believed that the person who reaches the cross first will enjoy good fortune throughout the year.

OTHER EPIPHANY TRADITIONS

The day before Epiphany, known as Cross Day, is marked by the Great Blessing of the Waters, performed in churches or nearby water sources. The blessed water, regarded as sacred, is brought home by the faithful to protect their households from evil, aid in healing, and purify the soul and body.

On Epiphany, Orthodox Christians greet each other with the words “God is revealed,” to which the response is “Indeed, He is revealed.” The period from Christmas to Epiphany is a time without fasting, though Cross Day is observed as a strict fast.

Numerous customs and beliefs are associated with this holiday. It is said that at midnight on Epiphany, the heavens open, granting any sincere wish. Unmarried girls traditionally placed a mirror under their pillow the night before Epiphany, hoping to dream of their future husband.

In rural areas, women observed the weather on Epiphany to predict the year ahead. Frost and snow were seen as signs of a fruitful year, while clear skies suggested drought. Another custom involved releasing ash into the wind to determine which direction prevailed on Cross Day, influencing forecasts for the year’s weather.

Above all, Epiphany customs emphasize health, unity, and faith, with ritual bathing in rivers symbolizing purification and renewal for the year ahead.