Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-01-19
NEWS OF STEELTON
200 FALL In SUSQUE-
HANNA AT STEELTON
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who conducted the ceremonies. hurled
small wooden cross into the ice
choked stream to be rescued and
brought back to shore by Atze
Zdraveff. a husky son of the Balkans.
The rescue of the cross completes
the ceremonies which are held to COM
memorate the baptism of Christ in the
Jordan. 1t was just before this cere-
mony that the priest marched out onto
the ice, which was frozen q distance
of probably nifty feet from the shore.
Five Hundred Crowd On Ice
Swarming after the priest. the en-
tire congregation, numbering nearly
500, and many spectators attempted TO
secure points of vantage on the very
edge of the ice. Scarcely had the
bearers of the American and Bulgarian
flags and the sacred banners taken
their places near Father Nakoff when
the ice began to crumble. Without
warning the frozen surface gave way
and toppled the scurrying crowds into
the icy water. Scores received wet
feet and scores more were plunged
still deeper into the stream
n crowd OF more than a thousand
that lined the shore and along the
tracks of the Pennsylvania railroad.
witnessed the accident. Many who
Hh'ph OAi lilt SiOIe dluHu women IN
the crowd to points of safety or shed
their coats to protect the drenched
ones.
Throughout the panic the Rev.
rather Nakoff, although his feet and
the edges of his flowing purple robe
were drenched, continued with the
ceremonies. As the crowd again sur
rounded him on the edge of the shore,
the priest threw cross into the
stream.
Cross Falls Between Ice Cakes
Instead of hurting the symbol far
out into the river as is the custom, the
priest merely tossed the cross about
fifty feet. 1t fell between two large
cakes of floating ice. Rapidly it was
swept down stream by the swirling
current.
For a second. the hundreds stood in
tense expectancy awaiting the plunge
OF the swimmers who each year vie
with each other for the high honor of
reseuing the sacred symbol
But this Year no one stirred. The
grinding cakes of ice took away all
enthusiasm for the plunge. The crowd
was surprised. Never before had
anyone hesitated.
Head First Into River
Then as the sacred symbol was drift
ing farther away, out of the crowd
rushed Atze Zdraveff, a husky Bulgar.
OF 45s Main street. Stripping off only
MS oNercoat, coat and shoes. he plung-
ed mead first into the ice-choked
stream. Pushing aside large cakes of
ice in his path and paying no atten-
ton to the floating slush. the swimmer
rapidly covered the short but difficult
distance to the sacred cross. Crashing
1t in his right hand he turned. ducked
beneath an exceptionally large cake
OF floating ice and took the few strokes
that brought him to shore
AS the swimmer neared the edge of
the ice anxious hands were outstretch-
ed to help him scramble to his feet.
AS he stood for the priests blessing
his dripping clothes froze upon his
body.
Praise For Swimmer
Although pushed and jostled by
the floating ice cakes the husky son
of the Balkans was uninjured. When
the blessing was completed the Bull
gars surged about Zdraveff, showered
him with praise, wrapped him in warm
coats and assisted him to his home
Zdraveff is 80 years old. lives at 45g
Main street. and is a cement worker
by trade. Peter JeIoff, of 453 Main
street, another swimmer who had vol
GU " llltthe lHe plunSe changed
his mind when the cross sailed into the
icy water. The weather bureau gives
the temperature at s o'clock this
morning at 10 degrees-just 13 de-
srees below freezing.
The festival of Epiphany is one OF
the most sacred of the year to the
church followers.
The festival commences at s O'Clock
with services in the church and ends
Nj l1nr MI ~,
hours service on the shore. During
this entire time the congregation
stands with uncovered heads while
scored hymns are chanted. The Rev.
Father David Nakoff, rector of the
Steelton church. was in charge of
to-day's services. The choir was led
by Alex Ilioff and pigeons were iber-
ated by 5. Dimetroff. The liberating
Of pigeons is another picturesque fea-
ture of the festival