It may be noted here that the largest part of Orthodox Christians follow the Julian calendar, while Catholics follow the Gregorian calendar and celebrate Vodici (Epiphany) on the 7th January. The believers mostly young male persons jump in the water and compete who will catch the cross first. Since Ohrid Lake is known as the Macedonian sweet-water sea, and it is the largest water area in the country, the central manifestation that attracts the largest number of believers and tourists on the 19th January, is the city port in Ohrid. Hundreds of believers jump after the holy cross in the icy waters of the lake, the temperature of the water is different each year, around 5 degrees Celsius.
The person that will first get to the cross is considered to be lucky throughout the entire year and receives a large number of presents from different institutions and citizens. It is considered that bathing on this day in the cold waters brings luck and health. This manifestation is followed by music and traditional food, while rakija is the Macedonian traditional beverage that is an inevitable part and during the winter is mostly consumed heated. Ohrid is not only a summer tourist destination, but is also visited during the winter, thanks to these customs and traditions when tourists can get to know Macedonian culture.