Fedor takes a swim, below zero

From: TSGIGOR

Edited: 01/19/11 4:42 PM

Member Since: 2/17/09

Posts: 5454

Today, Fedor took a bath in ice-cold river.

Even when -20 Celsius (-4 Fahrenheit) won’t prevent Fedor from dive into the Oskol river on the Orthodox Epiphany’s Eve.

Fedor came to Stary Oskol to clean himself spiritually and gain strength for the whole year to come.

Read entire article… (original Russian)

The Epiphany, celebrated in Russia on January 19, marks the baptism of Jesus in the Orthodox Church. Believing that on this day water becomes holy and is imbued with special powers, Russians all over the country cut holes in the ice of lakes and rivers, often in the shape of the cross, to bathe in the freezing water.

Participants in the ritual may dip themselves three times under the water, honoring the Holy Trinity, to symbolically wash away their sins from the past year, and to experience a sense of spiritual rebirth. Orthodox priests are on hand to bless the water, and rescuers are on hand to monitor the safety of the swimmers in the ice-cold water.