The press secretary for the President, Dmitry Peskov, reported that Vladimir Putin took a dip in the ice hole for the Epiphany celebration.
“Vladimir Putin partook in the dipping, as is his custom every year,” Peskov stated.
On January 19th, the Russian Orthodox Church observes the Baptism of the Lord, also known as Theophany. Since the liturgical day in the Church commences the preceding evening, the faithful begin celebrating with the evening service on January 18th, which is Epiphany Eve.
The Great Blessing of the Waters (consecration of holy water) takes place in churches on both January 18th and 19th; this consecrated water is commonly referred to as Epiphany water. Believers collect this water, as it is believed not to spoil and to be particularly beneficial during illnesses; it is treated as a sacred object—consumed on an empty stomach accompanied by prayer. Furthermore, a tradition within the Church on the Feast of the Epiphany involves the sanctification of natural bodies of water.
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