Thousands
of people have jumped into freezing waters all across Russia to mark the
Russian Orthodox Epiphany.
In
Moscow, according to Orthodox tradition, priests first blessed the water in a
hole cut in the frozen Moscow River before believers could take the holy bath.
The
ritual commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River, or the
Epiphany, which the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates on January 19, in the
middle of winter.
By
bathing on this day, believers symbolically wash off their sins, but many also
think the cold water is good for their health.
"In
the beginning, you go in and it's cold," said one man, dressed in a white
robe and wearing a cross.
"But
after getting in, the water becomes hot immediately. In general the water is
hot, not cold," he said after coming up from his plunge in the river's icy
water.
Elena, a
Muscovite, said she liked the way she felt after taking the icy plunge.
"Well, it's cold, but then it becomes great, really light in your spirit
and warm," she said.
Russians
have long believed in the beneficial effects of bathing in freezing water. Many
do so throughout the winter, earning them the nickname of "morzhi,"
or walruses.
Temperatures
in Moscow on Saturday hovered around minus 13C.
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