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Immersions mark the Baptism of Our Lord

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On January 19, Orthodox Christians celebrate one of the Twelve Great Feasts: the Baptism of Our Lord, or Epiphany.

On January 19, Orthodox Christians celebrate one of the Twelve Great Feasts: the Baptism of Our Lord, or Epiphany. On the night of January 19, as became traditional after the Baptism of Russia, many church-goers immerse themselves in baptismal fonts and bodies of water, regardless of the weather.

© RIA Novosti . Vitaliy Ankov / Go to the mediabankOn January 19, Orthodox Christians celebrate one of the Twelve Great Feasts: the Baptism of Our Lord, or Epiphany. On the night of January 18-19, as became traditional after the Baptism of Russia, many church-goers immerse themselves in baptismal fonts and bodies of water, despite the weather.

Immersions mark the Baptism of Our Lord - Sputnik International
1/15
On January 19, Orthodox Christians celebrate one of the Twelve Great Feasts: the Baptism of Our Lord, or Epiphany. On the night of January 18-19, as became traditional after the Baptism of Russia, many church-goers immerse themselves in baptismal fonts and bodies of water, despite the weather.

© RIA Novosti . Vitaliy Ankov / Go to the mediabankOn this holiday the church-goers remember how, aged 30, Jesus Christ came to the Jordan River from Galilee to be baptized by John the Baptist.

Immersions mark the Baptism of Our Lord - Sputnik International
2/15
On this holiday the church-goers remember how, aged 30, Jesus Christ came to the Jordan River from Galilee to be baptized by John the Baptist.

© RIA Novosti . Alexandr Kriazhev“And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, [saying], Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mar 1:10; Mar 1:11), the Gospel of Mark says. And thus, the world saw the Holy Trinity.

Immersions mark the Baptism of Our Lord - Sputnik International
3/15
“And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, [saying], Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mar 1:10; Mar 1:11), the Gospel of Mark says. And thus, the world saw the Holy Trinity.

© RIA Novosti . Alexandr Kriazhev… so, the Baptism of Our Lord is also called Epiphany.
Immersions mark the Baptism of Our Lord - Sputnik International
4/15
… so, the Baptism of Our Lord is also called Epiphany.
© RIA Novosti . Mikhail Fomichev / Go to the mediabankEach year on the Baptism of Our Lord and on its eve the Great Blessing of Waters traditionally takes place in Orthodox churches. After the service many priests bless nearby bodies of water: lakes, rivers, and ponds.
Immersions mark the Baptism of Our Lord - Sputnik International
5/15
Each year on the Baptism of Our Lord and on its eve the Great Blessing of Waters traditionally takes place in Orthodox churches. After the service many priests bless nearby bodies of water: lakes, rivers, and ponds.
© RIA Novosti . Konstantin Chalabov / Go to the mediabankChristians believe that blessed water brings spiritual and physical health. Photo: residents of Veliky Novgorod immersing themselves in the iordan’ on the Volkhov River.

Immersions mark the Baptism of Our Lord - Sputnik International
6/15
Christians believe that blessed water brings spiritual and physical health. Photo: residents of Veliky Novgorod immersing themselves in the iordan’ on the Volkhov River.

© RIA Novosti . Valeriy Melnikov / Go to the mediabankThis tradition of immersion on the Baptism of Our Lord exists in all Christian countries; in Russia it appeared after the adoption of Christianity, and the subzero temperatures pose no hindrance to believers.

Immersions mark the Baptism of Our Lord - Sputnik International
7/15
This tradition of immersion on the Baptism of Our Lord exists in all Christian countries; in Russia it appeared after the adoption of Christianity, and the subzero temperatures pose no hindrance to believers.

© RIA Novosti . Alexei Kudenko / Go to the mediabankOn the Eve of Epiphany many priests accompany church-goers to a body of water, where a hole in the ice has already been cut. This hole in the ice is called a iordan’ after the Jordan River. The priest blesses the water in the iordan’, and then people can immerse their head in the water three times, crossing themselves and saying, “In the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit”

Immersions mark the Baptism of Our Lord - Sputnik International
8/15
On the Eve of Epiphany many priests accompany church-goers to a body of water, where a hole in the ice has already been cut. This hole in the ice is called a iordan’ after the Jordan River. The priest blesses the water in the iordan’, and then people can immerse their head in the water three times, crossing themselves and saying, “In the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit”

© RIA Novosti . Mikhail Fomichev / Go to the mediabankMuscovites take part in traditional Baptismal immersions in the iordan’ in the Kolomenskoye historical museum and nature reserve, the site of several ancient churches.

Immersions mark the Baptism of Our Lord - Sputnik International
9/15
Muscovites take part in traditional Baptismal immersions in the iordan’ in the Kolomenskoye historical museum and nature reserve, the site of several ancient churches.

© RIA Novosti . Valeriy Melnikov / Go to the mediabankImmersion on Epiphany is believed to help cure various illnesses.

Immersions mark the Baptism of Our Lord - Sputnik International
10/15
Immersion on Epiphany is believed to help cure various illnesses.

© RIA Novosti . Valeriy Melnikov / Go to the mediabankThe tradition is about displaying one’s readiness to follow Christ, who entered the water of the Jordan River.

Крещенские купания в Серебряном бору - Sputnik International
11/15
The tradition is about displaying one’s readiness to follow Christ, who entered the water of the Jordan River.

© RIA Novosti . Valeriy Melnikov / Go to the mediabankBut it is not obligatory for Orthodox Christians to immerse themselves in icy water on this day. Priests say that the best proof of one’s love for God is receiving Holy Communion on this day.

Immersions mark the Baptism of Our Lord - Sputnik International
12/15
But it is not obligatory for Orthodox Christians to immerse themselves in icy water on this day. Priests say that the best proof of one’s love for God is receiving Holy Communion on this day.

© RIA Novosti . Ilya Pitalev / Go to the mediabankEpiphany bathing at the Iversky monastery on Lake Valdai, northwest Russia.



Immersions mark the Baptism of Our Lord - Sputnik International
13/15
Epiphany bathing at the Iversky monastery on Lake Valdai, northwest Russia.



© RIA Novosti . Alexandr Kriazhev / Go to the mediabankNovosibirsk residents diving into an ice hole on the Ob River



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Novosibirsk residents diving into an ice hole on the Ob River



© RIA Novosti . Alexandr Kriazhev / Go to the mediabankNovosibirsk residents diving into an ice hole on the Ob River


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Novosibirsk residents diving into an ice hole on the Ob River


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