Ukrainian Orthodox believers take icy plunge on Epiphany day

Can you imagine the feeling of a burning skin but not from fire?

The feeling when it seems like for several seconds you stop breathing and you lose your body.

I mean you still have it, but you do not completely feel your body parts.

It’s all about first impressions of dipping into the icy water in winter.

But why do that with yourself? You probably ask at once.

Well, yet the hardy Slavs, particularly Ukrainians and Russians, practice this ritual each year on the Orthodox holiday – Epiphany.

Holy Water

On the January 19, Ukrainian Orthodox believers celebrate the Baptism of Jesus Christ.

So, when Jesus reached the age of 30, he was baptized in the Jordan River. He came on shore and heard the voice of God the Father from the heaven, who called Jesus as his Son.

And the Holy Spirit descended upon him in the image of a dove. Hence we have the name of the holiday – the Epiphany.

A cross-shaped hole is cut in the river or in the lake which is called “Jordan”.

At midnight priests consecrate the water in the ice-hole, and the believers may start bathing in the consecrated water.

As the Bible tells us that on this day the Son of God was baptized in the waters of the Jordan River.

And any water on this day is considered to be healing and miraculous.

You may not believe but despite the icy water in the freezing temperatures no one has ever got sick after the ritual!

Whole families including children do it in the rivers, lakes, outdoor swimming pools etc. every year.

Crazy Orthodox Ice Bucket Challenge

What happens to the human body during the contact with the cold icy water?

While plunging into the icy water with a head, the water instantly awakens the central nervous part of the brain.

A momentary effect of low and ultra-low temperatures is perceived by the body as a positive stress: it reduces inflammation, pain, swelling, spasms.

Our body is wrapped by the air, the thermal conductivity of which is 28 times less than the thermal conductivity of water. This is the main trick of hardening in cold water.

Cold water releases deep strengths of the body, the body temperature after contact with it reaches 40º, enough to kill off viruses, bacteria, and diseased cells.

BEST KIEV GUIDE tried Epiphany bathing for the first time this year!

My impressions can watch on my YouTube channel.

And my advice is – try it!

Try at least once in your life! It really is worth it!