What kind of holiday is the Epiphany of the Lord?
A reader distant from faith might wonder how Jesus Christ could be baptized when new believers are baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He began his public ministry at about thirty, long before the crucifixion, and the term baptism itself stems from that event.
In reality, this tradition runs deep and predates Christianity in part. In Judaism, ritual cleansing by immersion has long been used to signify purification and to enable participation in worship, a practice that set the stage for later Christian rites.
John the Baptist approached this rite with a new emphasis, urging repentance as a daily discipline before Jesus began his ministry. He performed baptisms as a sign of cleansing from sin, and he is described as baptizing the Son of God in the Jordan. The moment is said to have witnessed the descent of the Holy Spirit, marking the start of Jesus86s earthly mission.
The word for this sacrament in Slavic Orthodox contexts is a distinctive term for baptism. In the original Greek, the term is βάπτισμα, literally meaning water immersion, a key distinction in the terminology used across traditions.
Folk tradition of diving into an ice hole
To honor Christ9s baptism in the Jordan, a folk practice of ritual bathing emerged in some communities. The Orthodox Epiphany is celebrated on January 19 or January 6 according to the old calendar. Because January often brings frigid weather to northern climates, the custom of swimming in an ice hole developed in Russia, while in southern regions such as Bulgaria Epiphany bathing can take place in open water. It is important to note that this is a folk custom, not a formal church service.
Since medieval times, the church has conducted a water-blessing ceremony over a cross-shaped hole carved in the ice, a feature sometimes called the Jordan. The ritual also included the immersion of the cross to sanctify it. A portable chapel would stand above the ice pit, and religious processions often circled it.
Over time, the religious aspect gave way to folklore, a shift that drew criticism from church authorities. Orthodox thinkers like Sergei Bulgakov argued that winter swimming could tempt the divine rather than honour it.
For many, diving into cold water presents real danger and risks. Some observers warn that faith-based hopes of divine intervention should not replace caution.
Nevertheless, the Slavic folk festival maintains a distinct identity separate from church life, sometimes described as Vodokreŝçi, a day thought to reveal hidden powers of water. Legends say holy water rituals could heal the ill and cleanse the spiritually well.
What do doctors say
According to Lyudmila Salatinatina, a cardiologist and diagnostic specialist at a major epidemiology institute, the ice-water custom is largely a historical practice rather than a current health recommendation. Most doctors view it as harmless in isolation but caution about potential health risks.
She notes that winter baths can aggravate sinus and throat infections, and in men conditions like cystitis or prostatitis may worsen. Women may face adnexitis, with rheumatic flare-ups possible in joints, sometimes taking months to recover. These warnings reflect a pattern of inflammatory responses that can follow a cold exposure event.
Cold immersion triggers a sharp physiological stress response, commonly described as cold shock, which can lead to dangerous cardiovascular effects. It is especially risky for individuals who have not prepared their bodies for such stress.
When cooling occurs, superficial vessels constrict as the body hurries to limit heat loss. Adrenaline rises, producing brief euphoria for some, followed by adverse changes in blood flow and heart activity. Blood pressure can spike, the heart rate may accelerate, and blood vessels endure heavy strain. In people with heart or vessel abnormalities, serious complications, even stroke or heart attack, can occur. This is why cold-water immersion is strongly advised against for anyone with chronic cardiovascular disease.
Blood-relations with immune health also matter. Those with immune suppression or ongoing infections, including cancer, autoimmune or allergic disorders, and those with HIV or recent coronavirus infection, are cautioned against cold-water dives. The idea that such plunges could restore immunity post-Covid-19 is not supported by evidence; the body may be overwhelmed by the added stress.
A second risk is the automatic breath-hold response triggered by cold shock, which can lead to unconsciousness and drowning in a submerged environment. This danger exists regardless of intent.
There is a small group who are said to endure winter swimming and may claim accelerated resilience afterwards. These swimmers, sometimes called the walruses, train regularly and build tolerance over time. Still, this benefit comes only with consistent practice and proper conditioning.
For anyone choosing to engage in ice-water immersion, a few cautions are advised. The recommended time in cold water is typically a brief window of 30 to 60 seconds. Entry should be gradual, with careful removal of clothing and minimal exposure to the head and neck areas. After immersion, prompt warming and rehydration in a heated space is essential. Alcohol is not advised after such an exposure, as it can mask danger and worsen outcomes.