Zimnicea celebrated Epiphany
Today Zimnicea celebrated Boboteaza, or the Baptism of God, the last great religious holiday of the winter season. PS Galaction Tânga, bishop of Alexandria and Teleormanu, also took part in the ceremonies. According to local tradition, the baptism of the horses took place today, and at the end the cross was thrown into the waters of the Danube.
PS Galaction Stânga took part today in Zimnicea at the Epiphany celebration. The Bishop of Alexandria and Teleormanu officiated the religious service at the "Holy Apostles Peter and Paul" Church, where he was welcomed by the mayor of the city, Mr. Peter Pârvu. According to tradition, in Zimnicea, the Epiphany is a public celebration, so this year there was also the baptism of horses, a ritual that took place in the center of the city.
Another tradition, besides the baptism of horses, is throwing the cross into the cold waters of the Danube. The ritual was performed by the bishop of Alexandria and Teleormanu, PS Galaction Stânga. Dozens of curious people stormed the Danube quays to witness the climax of the Epiphany celebration. 6 young men from Zimnica jumped into the river to retrieve the cross. As every year, the Zimnicea City Hall awarded the brave, a special award going to the one who managed to recover the cross. This year's winner is called Ionuț Mitală and it is the second time he has managed to recover the cross from the waters of the Danube.