icon bookmark-bicon bookmarkicon cameraicon checkicon chevron downicon chevron lefticon chevron righticon chevron upicon closeicon v-compressicon downloadicon editicon v-expandicon fbicon fileicon filtericon flag ruicon full chevron downicon full chevron lefticon full chevron righticon full chevron upicon gpicon insicon mailicon moveicon-musicicon mutedicon nomutedicon okicon v-pauseicon v-playicon searchicon shareicon sign inicon sign upicon stepbackicon stepforicon swipe downicon tagicon tagsicon tgicon trashicon twicon vkicon yticon wticon fm
19 Jan, 2019 14:46

Bikini-clad girls, celebs & politicians: WATCH Russians descend into frigid water on Epiphany

Bikini-clad girls, celebs & politicians: WATCH Russians descend into frigid water on Epiphany

Thousands of people brave the freezing Russian winter and take a dip into the ice-cold water on Epiphany to cleanse their souls and, in some cases, snap really cool photos for Instagram.

Orthodox Christians celebrate the baptism of Jesus Christ on January 19 by diving into ice holes, which represent the Jordan River – a ritual which has been gaining popularity in Russia recently.

RT

It has become a whole industry in the country. Numerous consecrated ice holes, often shaped as a cross, are cut at rivers and ponds for the occasion. They’re equipped with special railing, warm changing rooms, and have rescuers working on site to make sure everything goes without complications for the faithful.

Bikini-clad girls, celebs & politicians: WATCH Russians descend into frigid water on Epiphany

Many Russians believe cold water treatment is good for the health, so people of all ages, including children, engage in the chilling ritual. Mid-January is not usually the time to wear a bikini in Russia, but Epiphany provides a unique exception for fashionistas.

RT

RT
RT

State officials, lawmakers, and celebrities have also joined in, with former ballet star Anastasia Volochkova, boxing champ-turned MP Nikolai Valuev, and others sharing videos of their ice-water dips on social media.

Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!

Podcasts
0:00
23:13
0:00
25:0