Conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras participated in the Holy Liturgy for the feast day of Epiphany at St. Nicholas Church in Kavala, a seaport in East Macedonia, before watching divers swim to catch the Holy Cross at the city’s port.

He could not help but make a political statement: “Many happy returns and health to all Greeks and progress for our country. Now that it is standing on its feet, may it move forth and never slide back. Enlightenment for all of us. May you all be well.” Following the ceremony, he scheduled a visit to the northeastern Greek city of Drama in the fifth and last stop of his campaign tour around the East Macedonian-Thrace region where he will also be present for the Blessing of the waters of St. Barbara.

He offered wishes for health and enlightenment, but also congratulated all the divers who braved the freezing cold temperatures to dive into the sea to catch the Holy Cross. The lucky person who caught the cross was 35-year-old Dimitris Yiannikopoulos, an employee of the Manpower Employment Organization (OAED) of Kavala.

The prime minister had attended the Holy Liturgy for the Epiphany at the Holy Church of St. Nicholas in the presence of Metropolitan Bishop Prokopios of Philippi, Neapolis and Thassos.

The next stop of his campaign around the region is Drama, the fifth and last stop of his visit to East Macedonia and Thrace.