Romanians celebrate the Epiphany with a dive in the Danube to retrieve the cross

Описание: (5 Jan 2026)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Harsova, Romania - 5 January 2026
1. Various of preparations underway for religious service of epiphany on Danube shore
2. Priests
3. Archbishop Teodosie of Tomis throwing holy water
4. Archbishop on boat on Danube to throw cross into water
5. Young men waiting to jump in water
6. Border police and rescuer crew
7. Boys jump in water
8. One boy retrieves cross
9. SOUNDBITE (Romanian) Lucian Andrei, diving participant:
“I managed to retrieve the cross, a very beautiful experience, I lost myself for a bit, I didn't know where to look for the cross, I lost it from my sight due to low water temperature, I felt a bit dizzy, but only god almighty guided me to it. I hope it'll bring me a blessing, I hope I'll have a good year.”
10. Various of Archbishop Teodosie of Tomis sprinkling holy water on believers
11. Teodosie walking with priests
12. SOUNDBITE (Romanian) Teodosie, archbishop of Tomis:
“We hope that the celebration of epiphany that we observe here on apostolic land will bring more peace and understanding for everybody, it's a very beautiful feast dressed in holiness and light and Christ the Saviour helps us all to be closer to Him and be free from evil and to have peace harmony and love. ”
13. Church in Harsova
14. Various of locals and horse pulled cart working on Danube shore
STORYLINE:
Romanians took part on Monday in an Epiphany tradition on the shores of the river Danube in Harsova as regional archbishop Teodosie performed a religious service to bless the waters.

Locals gathered to pray for a good year ahead while young boys jumped in cold waters to retrieve a cross throw by the Romanian priest in a centuries old custom.

Teodosie, archbishop of Tomis, called for “more peace and understanding for everybody’.’

Epiphany is a Christian festival observed on 6 January.

Eastern traditions call it Theophany, and they focus on the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist.

Orthodox Christians also know it as the Baptism of Christ.

Some Western Christian churches know the feast day as Three Kings Day.

It recalls the Biblical story of a visit by the three Magi, or wise men, to the infant Jesus, and their sense of wonder at the encounter.

It is the 12th day after Christmas and closes the Christmas season.

AP Video shot by Nick Dumnitrache

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