RUSSIA: ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS MARK EPIPHANY WITH DIP IN FROZEN RIVER.

Record ID: 646639

  • Title: RUSSIA: ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS MARK EPIPHANY WITH DIP IN FROZEN RIVER.
  • Date: 20th January 2003
  • Summary: (EU) MOSCOW, RUSSIA (JANUARY 19, 2003) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. WORSHIPPERS GATHERED ON FROZEN RIVER 2. PRIEST BLESSING WORSHIPPERS 3. WORSHIPPERS GATHERING BLESSED WATER FROM FROZEN RIVER 4. WORSHIPPERS CROSSING THEMSELVES AND DIPPING THREE TIMES INTO THE ICY WATER 5. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) A FEMALE WORSHIPPER CALLED VALENTINA, SAYING: "I'm not afraid of the cold water, God and prayer help me." 6. WORSHIPPERS IN WATER 7. (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) A MALE WORSHIPPER CALLED VLADIMIR SAYING: "You don't catch a cold from this. Usually if you swim in cold water you catch a chill once you get out. But here it doesn't even feel like you've dipped into the water." 8. WORSHIPPERS BATHING IN ICY WATER Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 4th February 2003 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
  • Country: Russia
  • Reuters ID: LVA92YG342F55QFVZW8NZS3TSVBD
  • Story Text: Russia's Orthodox Christians have marked the holiday of
    Epiphany with dips into icy frozen waters.



    The Russian Orthodox Church recognises this day in
    honour of the baptism of Jesus. The Bible says that Jesus took
    his baptism in the warm River Jordan, but these worshippers in
    the Russian capital made do with the ice-cold, frozen Moscow
    river on Sunday (January 19).

    Many were content with a mere sampling of the holy water,
    blessed by a priest. Others, however took the dip in honour of
    the holiday, saying that prayer and God helped them keep warm.

    "I'm not afraid of the cold water, God and prayer help
    me," a worshipper said after her dip.

    While onlookers were wrapped up in fur coats, the
    worshippers stripped off their clothes and wearing only
    bathing suits climbed down a ladder into a hole in the ice.

    They then totally submerged themselves in the water three
    times.

    "You don't catch a cold from this. Usually if you swim in
    cold water you catch a chill once you get out. But here it
    doesn't even feel like you've dipped into the water,"
    Vladimir, another worshipper added.

    Temperatures in Moscow and much of Russia have hit record
    lows. The Russian capital has seen periods of near minus 30
    Celsius this winter.



  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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