Aleksandar was first to reach the cross at Lake Gazivode: We swam for our brothers who perished in Banjska

Swimming for the holy cross, a traditional event held on the Epiphany holiday, took place again this year at Lake Gazivode, and the first to reach the cross was Aleksandar Kasalovic from North Mitrovica.

Although the Eparchy of Raska and Prizren announced that they would not organize the swimming for the holy cross this year, the organization was taken over by the Cultural Center "Stari Kolasin".

The response from the citizens was significant this year, with 224 people registering for the swim. After singing patriotic songs and a torchlight procession, they swam for the holy cross, and the first to reach it was the young man Aleksandar Kasalovic, who said that he had dedicated this swim to the people killed in Banjska.

"This is my first swim in life and is very significant for all of us from Kosovo. The swim is dedicated to our brothers who perished in Banjska. This is just the preservation of our faith in Kosovo and Metohija, our Christian faith itself. Swimming is very special, and the Epiphany itself is special", Kasalovic said.

After coming out of the water, the President of the provisional municipal authority of Zubin Potok, Srdjan Vulovic, presented him with a wreath and a special monetary award.

In addition to the participants, several hundred citizens gathered at the lake to cheer for the swimmers.