Orthodox Christians celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord, or Theophany – one of the major church holidays.
The history of this holiday dates back to the early centuries of Christianity, when the prophet John the Baptist baptised the 30-year-old Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. According to the Gospel, at that moment the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove, and the voice of God the Father was heard from heaven, testifying about Him. This event, in which God appeared in three hypostases, gave the holiday its second name – Theophany.
On this day, Orthodox Christians attend festive divine services in churches, collect holy Epiphany water, consecrated on the eve and on the day of the holiday itself.
This water can be stored for the whole year, consumed on an empty stomach with prayer, and used to sprinkle one's dwelling.
As for Epiphany bathing in an ice-hole (Jordan), the church reminds that this is not a church rite, but an established folk tradition that symbolises spiritual purification. One should approach this consciously and only if feeling well.