January 6, which symbolizes the holy day of Blessed Water, where every year Christian believers jump into the river to catch the holy cross, is being celebrated this Thursday in Albania.

Celebration of the Baptism of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, or popularly known as the day of Blessed Water, for the Orthodox believers is one of the greatest celebrations of the Church, through which they commemorate the baptism of their Lord Jesus Christ.

For their part, the believers in the city of Berat, as every year, celebrate this day in the waters of the Osum River.

The ceremony of this holy day, as every year, started today early in the morning in the Church of St. Demetrius, in the center of the city, where after all the religious rites were performed, Father Johan Qako, with the cross in his hand and under the ringing of bells of the Church, went to the river Osum, to throw into the water the cross, the symbol of this celebration.

Seven young people from all neighborhoods of the city of Berat, jumped into the cold water of the river to wait for the cross to be thrown. The cross was caught by 26-year-old Pirenc Zharra, a resident of the "Gorica" ??neighborhood in Berat.

As every year, for the young man who catches the Cross of the Blessed Water, the Church and the Metropolis donate 150 thousand ALL (old).

Then, he goes with the cross in his hand to every house in the neighborhood: Gorica Mangalem and Kala, whose inhabitants "hand over" the blessed cross that the young man holds in his hand. Young Pirenc Zharra says that he feels happy because for him it is the first time he catches the cross.

January 6 is also celebrated in Saranda and Fier. In Saranda, the cross was caught by 42-year-old Luka Todhëri, who said he was lucky to be able to catch it.

"It is the first time I jump for the cross and this time I thank God who blessed me to take it", he said.