Russians Celebrate Epiphany With a Bone-Chilling Bath
Russians celebrate the feast of the Epiphany every year on Jan. 19 by bathing in ice-cold lakes and rivers to celebrate the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan.
The Orthodox Christian tradition is popular with believers and non-believers too, as a freezing ice bath is believed to be good for you.
Here’s a look at the Epiphany celebrations taking place across the country:
The Orthodox Christian tradition is popular with believers and non-believers too, as a freezing ice bath is believed to be good for you.
Here’s a look at the Epiphany celebrations taking place across the country:
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image/1360/e5/C5E49487-482C-474F-9B92-C8C5A06CAA07.jpeg)
Police are on hand during the celebrations as cold water swimming can be dangerous for those not used to it.
Maxim Kiselyov / TASS
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image/1360/2d/78CA16F2-A0B4-48C8-B694-56BDA7F3FEB2.jpeg)
A man in Russia's second city of St. Petersburg crosses himself during his dip.
Peter Kovalyov / TASS
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image/1360/fc/EFA15D57-9521-4F58-89AA-C3AB0FA731DB.jpeg)
The Russian Orthodox Church asks people to view the tradition as a spiritual act.
Donat Sorokin / TASS
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image/1360/f6/A0CC3485-0EDC-413B-86E7-7FC50A82BC13.jpeg)
Many people believe the intense cold jump starts their systems and keeps them in good health for the year.
Kirill Kukhmar / TASS
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image/1360/fc/356995A4-A25A-4A1C-9126-825880CA7CB0.jpeg)
Wooden frames are constructed around the holes in the ice to keep bathers safe.
Alexander Ryumin / TASS
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image/1360/ee/781C0D0A-27A3-4741-8F79-AE8776C3A8AD.jpeg)
The feast of the Epiphany is known as Kresheniye in Russian.
Yury Smityuk / TASS
![](https://static.themoscowtimes.com/image/1360/d9/F3A2E936-5B91-44D3-9390-5ADC5C7CF3C1.jpeg)
"The cold never bothered me anyway."
Marina Lystseva / TASS