Orthodox Epiphany: Russian Church again against immersion in icy waters

Today is the feast day of the baptism of the Lord. Thousands across the country dip in 'baptismal fonts' open for the festivity, but the clergy bemoans the fact that after the icy bath no one takes a step into churches.

Moscow (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Today, Russian Orthodox celebrate Epiphany, which coincides with the baptism of the Lord. To mark the occasion, thousands of Russians immerse themselves in baptismal fonts cut for the occasion into the thick ice covering rivers and lakes. However, the Orthodox Church frowns upon this practice.

"This does not bring people closer to the Church. It is only one of the manifestations of the human instinct for the extreme,” said Archpriest Alexei Uminsky, rector of the Moscow Holy Trinity Church, to Russia Today TV network.

"I do not think that mass bathing brings people closer to traditions or the Church,” he said in a veiled criticism of the custom. “A desire to experience new sensations, new experiences, flows in our Russian blood. Unfortunately, this has become so widespread that everyone believes that plunging is required”.

"Some people think that if they dip into the hole their sins will be forgiven and their desires will be fulfilled, but this is unrelated to the blessing of the waters, or the feast of the Epiphany."

For the Orthodox Church, 19 January marks the baptism of the Lord, Kreshenie, i.e. baptism in Russian, in accordance with the Julian calendar, which is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar used by the Catholic Church.

Traditionally on this day, rivers and lakes are blessed and sanctified. On the eve and on the day itself, the faithful bring home some holy water.

In the past, people made a big hole in the ice, called ‘Jordan’, like the river where Jesus was baptised, and walked around it in procession holding a cross.

According to popular belief, ‘Jordan water’ had healing powers and could cast out evil. Today, many Russians continue to follow the tradition even though the Church itself no longer requires it.

Despite temperatures well below zero, thousands of Russians on 18 and 19 January take a dip in the cross-shaped holes. For their part, the authorities regularly remind would-be bathers that the rite must be performed in the presence of medical staff because of the great danger of sudden malaise.

This year in Moscow alone, 780 volunteers, 1,500 police officers and 59 medical teams, have been deployed at some 60 designated sites, RIA Novosti reports.

"Many bathers are regulars,” Uminsky said, but based on his experience “none goes so far as to come to church afterwards”. (N.A.)

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• orthodox
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• epiphany
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• baptismal
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• tradition