-60 C Christianity - Russian style

Abarbarian · Feb 19, 2019

A month after the feast of Epiphany, which sees Orthodox Christians brave the cold and take the plunge outdoors, some Russians are still eager to go for an icy dip in one of Russia's frozen lakes.

https://sputniknews.com/russia/201801191060891774-yakutia-orthodox-christians-epiphany-ritual/

Epiphany bathing was held for the first time in Verkhoyansk, a town in Yakutia, which is considered to be the Pole of Cold of the northern hemisphere. As the temperatures plunge to a bitterly cold —63 degrees Celsius, local hieromonk Hermogen performed the ritual of water consecration, and dozens of bold-spirited believers dipped themselves in the ice-hole.

More than 1.5 million Orthodox Christians across Russia, including those from the freezing Sakha Republic, participated in this year's mass bathing ritual held on January 18-19. No matter how low temperatures have dropped, tradition is followed by any means.

Severe frosts in Russia's Sakha Republic (Yakutia) can't scare locals — they continue their lives as normal and even plunge into icy waters as part of the Orthodox Epiphany ritual to mark the baptism of Jesus Christ in the waters of the Jordan River.

https://sputniknews.com/russia/201801191060875750-putin-water-baptism-christ/

Vladimir Putin, known for his love of outdoor activities and commitment to Christianity, took to Lake Seliger north of Moscow on the night of January 18-19, to participate in the annual bathing in icy waters on the Epiphany Day, commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River that took place over two millennia ago.

The Russian president walked to the pool in a fur coat, on his way, asking the journalists whether they were feeling cold and then took a dip in the cold waters of the lake blessed by the Russian clergy.

Love him or hate him that guy has giant cahonies. I doubt that Trump or May or Corbyn could survive such a dip.

:eek: