Thousands of people in Korca participated in the feast day of Theophany, the culmination of many celebrations during this festive time of year.  Theophany is the day when all of nature is sanctified with the baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan River. 

     In his message to the people, Metropolitan John of Korca emphasized the importance of this day as the manifestation of the Trinitarian God from on high – when the path to salvation was opened for all mankind.  After the Metropolitan delivered his message from the steps of the “Resurrection of Christ” Cathedral, the cross was ceremonially thrown into the lake, and in spite of the cold weather several young people dove into the water to find the cross, hoping to receive a blessing from our baptized Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

     This was the journey from Bethlehem to the Jordan for the Orthodox faithful in the Holy Metropolis of Korca as they celebrated the great feast of Theophany.