Russians celebrate epiphany with icy dip
(19 Jan 2023) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ++PLEASE NOTE: AP IS OPERATING IN RUSSIA ACCORDING TO RUSSIAN RESTRICTIONS ON ALL REPORTING RELATED TO THE ONGOING MILITARY OPERATION IN UKRAINE++ ASSOCIATED PRESS Moscow, Russia - 19 January 2023 1. People preparing for Epiphany dip 2. Man getting into water 3. Various of resident Ivan Feodolitov dipping into water 4. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Ivan Feodolitov, resident: "I'm a believer, that's why I'm here, because it's a holiday, and this means cleansing from everything bad and transitioning to everything good. And also, this is a tradition of our ancestors." 5. Resident Andrey Vidyasov after dipping into water 6. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Andrey Vidyasov, resident: "It's great. It is usually cold at first, but then it gets warm. Congratulations on the Epiphany to all Orthodox people, blessings to all believers." 7. Emergency worker on site 8. Frozen pond 9. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Andrey Kornilov, resident: "Wonderful feeling. It's never too late to start. The main thing is to approach and treat your health carefully. But in general, I consider our holiday very important. And if there is an opportunity and, as I said, (good) health, then it is better to follow our canons." 10. Various of resident Aleksandr Zhilin taking dip and getting out 11. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Aleksandr Zhilin, resident: "I got to like cold water lately, and maybe it's not even connected with faith, but I am just kind of drawn to cold water. And therefore, several times even in winter I go into the ice hole, and even more so here as everything is prepared. Everything is very well arranged." 12. Wide of vehicle driving on ice 13. Various of woman dipping in water 14. People leaving STORYLINE: Orthodox Christians in Russia celebrated Epiphany on Thursday by taking a plunge in icy water. Dozens of people came to specially-equipped ice holes arranged across the country to commemorate the baptism of Jesus Christ. "This means cleansing from everything bad and transitioning to everything good. And also, this is a tradition of our ancestors," said Ivan Feodolitov, while drying himself with a towel after taking a dip in the cold water. Most people take the plunge at midnight or on the day of the feast itself, which falls on January 19. Not all Orthodox Christian churches celebrate Epiphany on the same day. Unlike Russia, Ukraine and Serbia, which celebrate on January 19, Greece, Bulgaria and Romania mark the occasion on January 6. Some Western Christian churches celebrate the religious holiday as Three Kings Day, which marks the visit of the Magi, or Three Wise Men, to Baby Jesus. AP video shot by Vladimir Kondrashov =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected]. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
