The 2026th anniversary of the birth and baptism of Jesus Christ was marked with a religious ceremony at the Ecumenical Patriarchate and a traditional cross retrieval event on the shores of the Golden Horn in İstanbul.
The liturgy was held at the Aya Yorgi Church inside the patriarchate, led by Patriarch Bartholomew. The ceremony began at 9.00 am local time (GMT+3) with the lighting of candles and prayers.
⛪ Hıristiyanlık inancına göre İsa Peygamber’in doğumu ve vaftiz edilişinin yıldönümü dolayısıyla Haliç sahilinde haç çıkarma töreni düzenlendi.
— bianet (@bianet_org) January 6, 2026
🎥 Video: Fabrizia Vazzana pic.twitter.com/raAR6gxWiJ
Following the four-hour service, Patriarch Bartholomew and participants walked in procession to the Golden Horn for the annual cross retrieval ritual.
Around 30 swimmers jumped into the sea to retrieve a wooden cross thrown into the water by the ecumenical patriarch. Vasilios Konstantinidis succeeded in bringing the cross back to shore.
According to state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), the ceremony drew significant public interest. Health teams and marine police were present at the site throughout the event.
(TY/VK)
