TO THE GLORY OF GOD: TWO DECADES OF SWIMMING FOR THE HOLY CROSS IN VLASOTINCE

Abstract

The Epiphany swimming for the Holy Cross in Vlasotince, southern Serbia, has become a respected spiritual and sporting tradition that embodies Orthodox Christian faith and local identity. While the practice has long existed in major Serbian cities, its revival and continuous celebration in Vlasotince since 2006 represent a unique case of localized religious heritage. This paper offers a retrospective and comparative historical analysis of all Epiphany swimming events held in Vlasotince between 2006 and 2025. The research is based on a combination of local archival sources (Власина – информативни билтен општине Власотинце), the publication Богојављење у Власотинцу – уз Божју помоћ за Часни крст 2005–2016, regional news coverage, and oral accounts provided by journalists employed at the Cultural Center of Vlasotince. Several photographs published in Спортски журнал were also consulted as part of the documentation process. The findings reveal a steady increase in participation, from 13 swimmers in 2006 to 118 in 2024, alongside notable milestones such as the first female participant in 2011 and the first female winner in 2015. These changes illustrate growing inclusivity and symbolic evolution within the tradition. While the study is limited to one municipality and relies on retrospective sources, it constitutes the first scholarly attempt to document and analyze this religious and cultural manifestation in southern Serbia. It also highlights the need for broader academic engagement with local religious customs that are at risk of fading from collective memory.