Bathing for christening Is this the norm? Winter swimming in the hole for the holiday on January 19.

Christmas time ends with one of the largest and oldest Christian holidays - the Baptism of the Lord. The rite of the Sacrament of Baptism symbolizes the purification of not only the body, but also the soul of a person. Today, the tradition of baptismal ablutions is being actively revived. On the night of January 19, the rite of the Great Blessing of Water is performed in all churches. It is believed that the water consecrated on this day has a special miraculous power. Since ancient times, in Baptism in Rus’, people bathed in the hole, performed ablutions and douches. Also on this holiday it is customary to swim in reservoirs, lakes, rivers. In some regions of Russia, bathing in Epiphany water is a tradition that goes back to ancient times. Orthodox Christians celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord every year from January 18 to 19. A great event from the Gospel is connected with this holiday, when John the Baptist performed the sacrament of the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. It