At 17, I Took My First Plunge into the Cold Waters for Vasilica

January 19th is a very important day for believers who follow the Julian calendar. Today, Orthodox Macedonians celebrate Epiphany. According to Christian tradition, this is the day when Saint John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ in the River Jordan.

Foto: Sitel.com.mk

Many of you are aware that we aim to shift the focus of our stories in Macedonia. This is why we choose not to let this day pass without meaningful acknowledgment; a simple interview wouldn't suffice. Although the ban on public gatherings may prevent large crowds of tourists, Ivona Jakimovska Stojanoska from Prilep will take the opportunity to remind us of the significant events that have occurred over the years.

Ivona lives in Prilep and is only 22 years old. She first entered the cold winter waters when she was just 17. Since then, she has decided to repeat the ritual of "Jumping the Cross" every year. In 2016 and 2017, during her first two years of participation, she practiced the ritual in Prilep. In 2019, she took part in the event in Koper, Slovenia.

Ivona's passion has been with her since she was a little girl. She states that she received support from her entire family, especially her parents. For her, the goal isn't merely to hold the cross in your hands, but rather to summon the courage to enter the cold waters. 

She believes that participating in a warm-up with men is not a problem. At that moment, she says, your focus shifts away from the people around you to the water, the story, the spirit, and your faith.

Standing shoulder to shoulder with men is a notable achievement for every woman. This participation challenges the stereotype that women should not take part in religious rituals. Many of you may still hold these beliefs while reading this text. 

Ivona shares that in Prilep, she participated alongside several other girls, indicating that she was not alone in her involvement. In contrast, while in Slovenia, she was the only participant who jumped into the waters there.

People in Slovenia congratulated me on my courage for being the only female participant, says Ivona. "I also received a gift for participating, which showed that the people and the organizers appreciated my effort," she adds. 

For her, the most important thing is to be physically prepared. It's essential to be careful about how you enter the water, and your body needs to be cooled down beforehand to help it adjust to the drastic change in temperature more easily.

Ivona has not noticed any health changes in recent years. Many people believe that anyone who enters the holy waters on this holiday will enjoy good health for the entire year. 

Due to the pandemic, Ivona's tradition has been temporarily paused. This year, the largest events in Ohrid and Skopje, which are typically attended by thousands of tourists from both the country and abroad, will be celebrated in a symbolic way.

The city of Ohrid is recognized as the top destination for the celebration on January 19th each year. In previous years, this event has been organized by the Debar-Kicevo Diocese in accordance with religious guidelines, while the city of Ohrid has handled the overall arrangements. 

It is important to mention that, in addition to the Holy Cross, Ohrid also features the traditional bathing of fishermen. This event is accompanied by a fish soup served in a large cauldron in the small square, which is free for all guests.

Epiphany is regarded as one of the most significant Christian holidays. It marks the conclusion of the 12 unbaptized days and the winter holiday season, which includes Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year (Vasilica), and other celebrations. On this day, believers hold the belief that the heavens open, God appears, and people turn to Him to have their wishes fulfilled. During this moment, the waters are said to stop flowing and become healing.