Believers wash away Sins in icy waters of Siberia

dynamitenews.com
Siberia / 20 Jan 2016 Russian Orthodox Christians take a ritualistic cleansing dip in icy waters on 19 January every year with the temperature hovering around -10 °C, as a part of Epiphany celebrations.

Believers dip themselves in the freezing water to symbolically wash away their sins.

Cross-shaped holes are cut through the thick ice covering rivers and lakes. Participants often dip themselves three times in the water, in honor of the Christian ‘Holy Trinity’.

Priests bless the water and safety professionals are on-hand in case of emergencies.