Orthodox Christians brave icy waters for Epiphany

Orthodox Christians across Russia marked Epiphany Tuesday despite Covid-19 restrictions.

The feast is celebrated every year on January 19 by bathing in ice-cold pools, lakes and rivers to commemorate the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan.

This tradition, which marks the end of the 12 days of Christmas, is popular among believers and also non-believers since ice baths are thought to be good not only for the body but also for the spirit.

Russian President Vladimir Putin took a cold bath during the celebrations of the Epiphany holiday in Moscow, where temperatures plunged to minus 20 degrees Celsius.

A visual story by EFE/EPA photographers SERGEI ILNITSKY, MAXIM SHIPENKOV and ANATOLI MALTSEV.