17-year-old Gjorgji Nikolovski successfully retrieved the Holy Cross lowered into the Vardar. Nikolovski conveyed his wishes for health, happiness, and peace, saying, “God bless you all, God is great,” and expressing a desire for unity. The Macedonian Orthodox Church congratulated Nikolovski, participating in the customary practice of gift-giving.

The festivities in Skopje commenced with an Epiphany liturgy led by HH Stefan, the Head of the Macedonian Orthodox Church – Ohrid Archbishopric, earlier in the morning at the Nativity of Virgin Mary church. Following the liturgy, Archbishop Stefan lowered the Holy Cross from the Sloboda Bridge near the Holiday Inn hotel into the Vardar as part of the Great Theophany Blessing of Water tradition, inviting believers to retrieve it.