Russian president Vladimir Putin braves subzero lake to mark Orthodox Epiphany

Vladimir Putin has joined millions of Orthodox believers by plunging bare-chested into icy waters in a Russian tradition to mark the Epiphany. Surrounded by priests and glittering religious icons, and braving subzero temperatures, the president lowered himself into Lake Seliger, 220 miles (350km) north-west of Moscow. It is the first time the 65-year-old, who has often posed topless on wilderness expeditions, has taken part publicly in the ritual Subscribe to Guardian News ► http://bit.ly/guardianwiressub • Vladimir Putin takes icy plunge to mark Orthodox Epiphany ► https://www.theguardian.com/world/201... Support the Guardian ► https://theguardian.com/supportus The Guardian ► https://www.theguardian.com The Guardian YouTube network: The Guardian ►    / theguardian   Guardian Football ► http://is.gd/guardianfootball Guardian Sport ► http://bit.ly/GDNsport Guardian Culture ► http://is.gd/guardianculture #vladimirputin #russia #lakeseliger