Russian Spirit: Epiphany Bathing Across the Country – Photo Report

Source: Sputnik News
Natalya Mihailova | 20 January 2016

Thousands of people all across Russia braved the freezing winter temperatures to bathe in ice-cold rivers, ponds and lakes, celebrating the Orthodox Christian holiday of Epiphany — the baptism of Jesus Christ.

© SPUTNIK/ ILIYA PITALEV

© SPUTNIK/ ILIYA PITALEV

An ice hole being dug out for water consecration on Epiphany Day at Lake Siverskoye, near the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery in Russia’s Vologda Region.

© SPUTNIK/ MAXIM BOGODVID

© SPUTNIK/ MAXIM BOGODVID

A baptistery at one of the monasteries in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia.

© SPUTNIK/ EVGENY BIYATOV

© SPUTNIK/ EVGENY BIYATOV

Traditional Epiphany bathing at Revolution Square in Moscow.

© SPUTNIK/ KONSTANTIN CHALABOV

© SPUTNIK/ KONSTANTIN CHALABOV

Epiphany bathing at the Staroye Rakamo village in the Novgorod Region of Russia.

© SPUTNIK/ EVGENY BIYATOV

© SPUTNIK/ EVGENY BIYATOV

Traditional Epiphany bathing at Revolution Square in Moscow.

© SPUTNIK/ VLADIMIR ASTAPKOVICH

© SPUTNIK/ VLADIMIR ASTAPKOVICH

Bathers on Epiphany Day in the lake of the Valdai Our Lady of Iberia Svyatoozyorsky (Holy Lake) Monastery.

© SPUTNIK/ SERGEY MALGAVKO

© SPUTNIK/ SERGEY MALGAVKO

Consecration of the baptistery near the Red Caves in the vicinity of the village of Perevalnoye, Crimea.

© SPUTNIK/ SERGEY MALGAVKO

© SPUTNIK/ SERGEY MALGAVKO

People bathe at the Red Caves baptistery near the village of Perevalnoye in Crimea.

© SPUTNIK/ VLADIMIR ASTAPKOVICH

© SPUTNIK/ VLADIMIR ASTAPKOVICH

People bathe on Epiphany Day in the lake of the Valdai Our Lady of Iberia Svyatoozyorsky Monastery.

© SPUTNIK/ ALEXANDER KRYAZHEV

© SPUTNIK/ ALEXANDER KRYAZHEV

A woman takes part in Epiphany bathing in Novosibirsk.

© SPUTNIK/ VITALIY ANKOV

© SPUTNIK/ VITALIY ANKOV

A priest consecrates an ice hole in the Sport Harbour, Vladivostok.

© SPUTNIK/ GRIGORY SYSOYEV

© SPUTNIK/ GRIGORY SYSOYEV

Epiphany bathing at the Klyazma Reservoir near the village of Ostashkovo.

© SPUTNIK/ VLADIMIR ASTAPKOVICH

© SPUTNIK/ VLADIMIR ASTAPKOVICH

People bathe on Epiphany Day in the lake of the Valdai Our Lady of Iberia Svyatoozyorsky Monastery.

© SPUTNIK. EVGENY BIYATOV

© SPUTNIK. EVGENY BIYATOV

Traditional Epiphany bathing at Revolution Square in Moscow.

© SPUTNIK/ ALEXANDER KRYAZHEV

People gather around a campfire to warm up after a Epiphany bathing in Novosibirsk.

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