This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/russia/512957-putin-takes-plunge-epiphany/
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Putin takes a plunge: Russian president among thousands of Orthodox Christians braving icy dip in freezing waters to mark Epiphany | Putin takes a plunge: Russian president among thousands of Orthodox Christians braving icy dip in freezing waters to mark Epiphany |
| (7 months later) | |
| Across Russia and much of Eastern Europe, Orthodox believers submerged themselves in sub-zero temperatures on Tuesday to mark Epiphany, which commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan. | Across Russia and much of Eastern Europe, Orthodox believers submerged themselves in sub-zero temperatures on Tuesday to mark Epiphany, which commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan. |
| While some Russian regions have temporarily banned the ritual, which sees worshippers throwing themselves into barrels, pools and holes cut in icy lakes or rivers, over coronavirus fears, most have made exceptions for the mass gatherings. In Moscow, for example, more than 220 bathing spots were prepared, with around 10,000 car parking spaces set up to allow visitors easy access. Temperatures in the capital have been around -12 degrees Celsius (10 degrees Fahrenheit) or even colder. | While some Russian regions have temporarily banned the ritual, which sees worshippers throwing themselves into barrels, pools and holes cut in icy lakes or rivers, over coronavirus fears, most have made exceptions for the mass gatherings. In Moscow, for example, more than 220 bathing spots were prepared, with around 10,000 car parking spaces set up to allow visitors easy access. Temperatures in the capital have been around -12 degrees Celsius (10 degrees Fahrenheit) or even colder. |
| Russian President Vladimir Putin was among those observing the chilly ritual. His spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told journalists that “he usually does it. And he doesn’t change his traditions.” However, last year Putin was attending a conference in Berlin over the Epiphany, and whether he managed to break away for a dip in the Spree, which runs through the German capital, was not disclosed. | Russian President Vladimir Putin was among those observing the chilly ritual. His spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told journalists that “he usually does it. And he doesn’t change his traditions.” However, last year Putin was attending a conference in Berlin over the Epiphany, and whether he managed to break away for a dip in the Spree, which runs through the German capital, was not disclosed. |
| The practice is thought to date back to ancient times, with the first instances of ice bathing recorded as early as 1525. However, its association with Epiphany is more recent, and it was observed by relatively few Russians prior to the 1917 Revolution. It became even less popular in the Soviet era, when outward signs of devotion were restricted. Since the breakup of the USSR, however, the ritual has experienced a resurgence. While some believe that the practice can cleanse people of their sins, the position is not endorsed by Russia’s Orthodox Church. | The practice is thought to date back to ancient times, with the first instances of ice bathing recorded as early as 1525. However, its association with Epiphany is more recent, and it was observed by relatively few Russians prior to the 1917 Revolution. It became even less popular in the Soviet era, when outward signs of devotion were restricted. Since the breakup of the USSR, however, the ritual has experienced a resurgence. While some believe that the practice can cleanse people of their sins, the position is not endorsed by Russia’s Orthodox Church. |
| This year, clergymen have gone even further to distance the Church from ice bathing. While many bathers receive blessings from priests, a spokesman for the Orthodox Church told a Moscow radio station on Tuesday that it was far from a necessary observance for Christians. “Bathing is, in general, a marginal custom,” he said. “Bathe, do not bathe, if you believe in God, then just be a Christian – pray, go to church as much as possible in the conditions of the pandemic.” | This year, clergymen have gone even further to distance the Church from ice bathing. While many bathers receive blessings from priests, a spokesman for the Orthodox Church told a Moscow radio station on Tuesday that it was far from a necessary observance for Christians. “Bathing is, in general, a marginal custom,” he said. “Bathe, do not bathe, if you believe in God, then just be a Christian – pray, go to church as much as possible in the conditions of the pandemic.” |
| If you like this story, share it with a friend! | If you like this story, share it with a friend! |
| Dear readers and commenters, | |
| We have implemented a new engine for our comment section. We hope the transition goes smoothly for all of you. Unfortunately, the comments made before the change have been lost due to a technical problem. We are working on restoring them, and hoping to see you fill up the comment section with new ones. You should still be able to log in to comment using your social-media profiles, but if you signed up under an RT profile before, you are invited to create a new profile with the new commenting system. | |
| Sorry for the inconvenience, and looking forward to your future comments, | |
| RT Team. |