Saturday, January 9, 2010

Male-Only Orthodox Ceremony of Diving for Cross Is Broken by Albanian Girl

Diving for a metallic cross is an annual event observed by many Orthodox Churches to celebrate Theophany -- referring to the manifestation of God to man -- usually in January.

In Albania, it has been an event traditionally participated only by males -- until this year, according to The Next Reporter website.

A 16-year-old Albanian girl named Katerina Munguli, broke with tradition by joining and competing with the boys and men in diving for the metallic cross thrown into the bottom of the chilly Ionian Sea.

Munguli surfaced with the cross in her hand, beating her male rivals, to the surprise and amusement of the crowd and the priests.

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