The Epiphany or the Baptism of Jesus is one of the main Christian holidays in Russia, is celebrated on the night of January 18th. It is believed that on this night, water becomes holy and powerful enough to wash away all of the sins and diseases of the person.
Thousands of Russians who share this belief go out and queue up next to the specially created openings in the ice that are called “Jordans” in honor of the Holy River. This year in Moscow, especially for this holiday there were 60 “Jordans” created in various parts of the city. No matter how old people are, no matter how cold it is outside, in Moscow for example it was only 14 degrees F., while in Yakutsk it was minus 40 degrees F., all believers, dive into the freezing water for a couple of seconds. Those who dive into the water during this evening of the Epiphany, say that they feel strong, healthy, and energetic after the dive. They feel that their sins and illnesses are “washed away”, and that they are blessed by the Savior. Even though participants overall feel invigorated, next to the each “Jordan” you’ll find medical workers and ambulances, ready to help those in need. This is because it is not uncommon to find children as young as two years old and people older than 80. Believers also go to church and take a bottle of water that was baptized on this Epiphany night. They believe that it helps to improve their physical and mental well-being if they take it every morning. This water is also sprinkled around the house to safeguard it from evil powers and is also used during prayers.
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AuthorHi there! My name is Mila, I have been working as a local guide for six years and I've decided to share with you essential information about St. Petersburg, life in Russia and Russian culture. I hope you will enjoy! Archives
January 2018
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