January 19. epiphany in Russia - See Russian Orthodox Christians plunge into icy waters for epiphany 2015 VIDEO

  

Watch people swimming in icy water in Winter in Russia. About a hundred people gathered on the frozen river for a prayer and a ritual dive. After a priest blessed the water, people formed a queue to the hole cut in the ice and started dipping in to the freezing water.

The ritual commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River, or the Epiphany, which the Russian Orthodox Church mark on 19 January, in the middle of the Russian winter.
Traditionally the celebration starts the night before. By bathing on this day, believers symbolically wash off their sins. Many, however, also believe the dip in the cold water is good for their health.

    

   

 




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