Epiphany 2020: where and how to swim in the ice hole in Moscow: Epiphany 2020 Moscow swimming ice holes | Moscow authorities will prepare 46 special places for annual traditional baptismal baths by January 19 - all sites will be equipped with safe access to the water and heated locker rooms

Every January 19, Orthodox Christians celebrate the Baptism of the Lord.

On this day, believers, after serving in the church, go to the nearest sources to make traditional baptismal baths - to immerse themselves in the blessed water.

Epiphany Day

The feast of the Epiphany is associated with the gospel event when the prophet John the Baptist (John the Baptist) baptized Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. This day is sacred for Orthodox Christians. It is celebrated annually on January 19.

The Bible says that during the sacrament the Holy Spirit descended from heaven in the form of a dove, and the voice proclaimed: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). It is believed that this event marked the appearance of the Holy Trinity: God the Father, God the Holy Spirit and God the Son. Therefore, the feast of Baptism is also called the Epiphany - the Kingdom of Heaven is so close to people that it could be seen and heard.

This is not the only miracle that happened that day. Thus, the Bible says that after Jesus Christ entered the water, the Jordan River went back and changed its course. Since then, this sign has been repeated annually: on the eve of Baptism, believers launch wooden crosses with candles on the river, the river carries them to the Dead Sea, and on January 19 invariably brings them back. In this case, usually fresh Jordan becomes salty.

They began to celebrate the Baptism of the Lord during the lifetime of the apostles, and Epiphany and Christmas were one holiday. Around the end of the 4th century, Baptism became a separate religious event. The first Christians were baptized precisely on the day of the Epiphany. Then came the tradition of sanctifying water, which would cleanse a person of sin.

Epiphany 2020 Moscow swimming ice holes

Why is baptism accepted to swim in the hole

Bathing in an ice hole or open water is an integral part of the celebration of Baptism. It is believed that bathing in the Epiphany ice hole cleanses of sins.

However, in reality, the bathing rite refers to folk rather than church traditions. That is why bathing is voluntary. To plunge into the hole or not, everyone decides for himself.

Nevertheless, those who wish to plunge into the icy Jordan (the so-called wormwood in the shape of a cross specially cut in ice) are annually found. Moreover, the number of believers who made it a rule to bathe at Baptism is growing every year.

Many are convinced that baptismal bathing does not benefit physically, but primarily psychologically. Doctors also testify to the positive effect of such winter bathing on the prepared body.

Epiphany 2020 Moscow swimming ice holes: Traditions for the celebration of Epiphany 2020

Baptism occurs immediately after Christmas time, when the girls were allowed to guess and carol. All games and entertainment should be completed before an important holiday in order to properly prepare thoughts and body for purification.

They do not fast at the baptism of the Lord. But on Christmas Eve (18th), the Orthodox observe all strict requirements.

On the feast of Baptism, the great blessing of the water takes place twice - on January 18 on Christmas Eve and on January 19 on the Feast of the Epiphany. For the first time, water is illuminated in a font installed in the temple. The second time - in a pond near the temple, for example, on a river or lake.

These days, the clergy cut through the "Jordan" - a wormwood in the shape of a cross, next to which they put a lectern and a wooden cross. After the liturgy, believers go by the procession to the ice hole, the priest serves a prayer service and lowers the cross three times into the water, asking for God's blessing.

Epiphany 2020 Moscow swimming ice holes: The healing properties of water at Baptism - truth or fiction

After the rite of consecration, water is already becoming baptized. The priest sprinkles water on believers. After that, everyone can come up to wash her or even plunge into the hole. Baptismal water is also customary to sprinkle the dwelling, performing the troparion of the Epiphany.

Holy water is stored for a year - until the next Epiphany.

Epiphany 2020 Moscow swimming ice holes: Main dish for Epiphany

On Epiphany Christmas Eve (the day before the feast of the Epiphany) strict fasting is observed. Until about noon on January 18, until water was consecrated in the temple, you should refrain from any food. After tradition, believers have a tasty meal - the main dish on Christmas Eve.

Sochivo is a lean dish that is traditionally eaten on this day. It is made from cooked wheat grains with the addition of honey, dried fruits and other sweets.

Wash cereals, pour boiling water and simmer in a saucepan over low heat until it becomes soft, periodically adding hot water. Rinse poppy seeds and steam for 2-3 hours. Then drain and add sugar, honey or any other sweets. To decorate the dish, use crushed nuts, raisins, fruits or berries to taste.

After that, all this mass is poured 1/2 cup boiled water, and then combined with boiled cereals. Serve such a dish properly cold.

Where at Epiphany 2020 to swim in the hole - all places in Moscow / Epiphany 2020 Moscow swimming ice holes

Every year before the Epiphany, Moscow authorities equip special fonts in all districts of the capital. Usually, the selected area is cleared of snow, Jordan is cut out in ice, railings are installed and rubber mats are laid out to ensure a safe approach to the ice hole and launching into the water.

Around the place, lighting, dry closets, heating points and changing cabins are required. On the evening before the Epiphany, each platform is ready to receive believers.

For the safety of Muscovites, in 2020, 61 medical teams and over 4,000 police officers were allocated. They also took care of special rescue equipment for unforeseen cases.

In 2020, in Moscow, all the fonts will work all day from 18:00 on January 18 to 18:00 on January 19. According to preliminary estimates, over 200 thousand believers will take part in the festival. In total, 46 sites will appear on the map of Moscow.

Bathing places in the center of Moscow: Epiphany 2020 Moscow swimming ice holes

  • Font in the garden named after Bauman, st. Old Basmannaya, d. 15;
  • Church of the Exaltation of Christ on Pure Vrazh, 1st Workers Lane, 8/1
  • Bathing places in the north of Moscow (CAO):
  • Timiryazevsky ponds, metro Petrovsko-Razumovskaya;
  • Bathing places in the north-east of Moscow (NEAD):
  • Palace Pond, Ostankino Park (between the streets of Akademik Korolev and 1st Ostankino).
  • Bathing places in the east of Moscow (VAO):
  • Ponds Babaevsky (ul. Kurgan, 5-9, Elk Island), Red (Izmailovsky forest park, main avenue), Oleny (Sokolniki Val street, 1, p. 1, Sokolniki park);
  • Terletsky ponds (Svobodny pr., 2a, metro station "Perovo" and "Novogireevo");
  • Font "Vernissage" in Izmailovo (Izmailovsky highway, 73zh);
  • Lake "Holy", st. Orangery, d.18.
  • Bathing places in the south of Moscow (YuAO):
  • Borisovsky Pond, st. Borisov Ponds, d.2G;
  • Becket Pond, Zagorodnoye sh., D. 2.

Epiphany 2020 Moscow swimming ice holes: Bathing places in the south-west of Moscow (SWAD):

  • Bolshoi Vorontsovsky Pond (Church of the Life-Giving Trinity), ul. Academician Pilyugin, d.1;
  • Pond "Zelenka", at the intersection of Nakhimovsky Prospekt with Azov Street;
  • Tropapevsky pond (recreation zone "Tapeapevo"), st. Academician Vinogradov, d. 12;
  • Chernyavsky Pond (Church of the Nativity), st. Yuzhnobutovskaya, d. 62;
  • A pond in the village of Zakharyino;
  • Pond No. 4, sanatorium "Uzkoye" (Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God), st. Profsoyuznaya, 123 B.

Epiphany 2020 Moscow swimming ice holes: Bathing places in the north-west of Moscow (SZAO):

  • Park "Northern Tushino", st. Liberty, d. 56;
  • Stroginskaya floodplain, Serebryany Bor;
  • Landscape Park (Baryshikha Street);
  • Natural-historical park "Pokrovskoye-Streshnevo";
  • Kirov floodplain;
  • Karamyshevskaya embankment;
  • Yacht port "Scarlet Sails";
  • Small Endless Lake, st. Tamanskaya, d. 55.
  • In the prefecture of the North-Western Administrative District, they said that you can come to one of the largest fonts of the district, equipped in the Stroginsky floodplain, on January 18th.

Bathing places in the west of Moscow (CJSC):

  • Meshchersky pond, st. Voskresenskaya, village of Za;
  • Moscow River - Filevsky Boulevard 21, ul. Filevskaya 40a, the village of Rublevo.

Places of bathing in Zelenograd (ZelAO):

  • Black Lake, Forest Ponds Alley, 6th microdistrict;
  • Lake "School", Panfilov Ave, bldg. 1001.

Places of bathing in New Moscow (TiNAO):

  • Fonts in Troitsk (Pribrezhnaya street, house 7), Voronovsky settlements (Pokrovskoye village), Desenovskoye (Evseevo village), Klenovsky (Tovarishchevo village), Mikhailovo-Yartsevsky (Pleskovo rest house and Shishkin Les village), Pervomaisky (Puchkovo village, Ryzhovka river), Rogovsky (Vasyunino village), Filimonovsky (Knutovo village), Shchapovsky (Oznobishino village), Voskresensky (Club-hotel "Voskresenskoye"), Makhrushinsky (Big Svinorye village);
  • Ponds in the settlements of Voronovsky (Lopasnya river), Klenovsky (Chernetskoye village), Krasnopahormsky (Bylovo village), Mosrentgen (Troitskoye estate).

Bathing Rules for Baptism 2020 as Epiphany 2020 Moscow swimming ice holes:

The celebration of the Epiphany is not much different from the old days. Nevertheless, some difference is still present.

The most important difference - swimming in the ice hole has become safe. Now, believers do not plunge into bottomless icy waters, but bathe in an equipped font with handrails and wooden flooring. This design allows you to participate in the sacrament, even those who can not swim.

Also at the site there are always on duty EMERCOM and an ambulance to come to the aid of people if necessary.

Secondly, the places for bathing are equipped with heated changing rooms, catering points work nearby - hot tea is distributed free of charge to everyone. Such measures minimize the risk of overcooling and catching a cold.

For those who decided to plunge, it is recommended to remember the following rules:

  •     It is important not to expose the body to shock - a few days before Baptism, you can start to pour cold water or take a contrast shower;
  •     2 hours before swimming, eat tight, but do not overdo it. Refuse alcohol before bathing;
  •     Come to the place of bathing closer to the morning, as at night there are usually a lot of people;
  •     Choose comfortable clothing and shoes with a zipper so that it is easy to take off and put on. Go into the water in slippers or slates;
  •     You need to dive slowly, rubbing your hands gradually on the face and hands. Doctors recommend staying in the hole for no more than 20 seconds. For a beginner at an air temperature below 7 degrees below zero, it is better not to plunge headlong;
  •     After diving, you must immediately wipe yourself dry and get dressed quickly. It is not necessary to rub heavily with a towel - you can damage the capillaries of the skin;
  •     Take a thermos with hot tea with you to warm up faster after bathing.

Who should not swim in the hole in Epiphany

Epiphany bathing is, after all, stress for the body, so not everyone can take part in them. According to doctors, it is not recommended to dive into the hole:

  •     With hypertension;
  •     With a disease of diabetes;
  •     Pregnant
  •     Children under 6 years old;
  •     In the presence of gynecological inflammation;
  •     During exacerbation of chronic diseases.

Before bathing, it is imperative to consult with the therapist even healthy people in advance, to take precautions (you can’t stay in the hole for more than 20 seconds, and before entering, it is necessary to warm up the muscles with a simple warm-up or squats).

Doctors say that with sudden cooling, the risk of respiratory failure increases, vasospasm occurs, so before bathing, do not smoke or take alcohol. It is best to warm yourself with hot tea with honey or herbs.

Epiphany frost 2020

Very often, the Epiphany was severe frosts, so they began to call them "Epiphany."

But should we expect a significant drop in temperature in Moscow on the 19th? According to weather forecasters, there will be no frost in 2020 at Baptism, and even after it. They note that, most likely, in the capital by the appointed date it will even get warmer.

It's all about the abnormally warm winter. If you believe the signs, the warm weather at the Epiphany will bring a cold summer and a meager harvest. Some crops will suffer, but others will be extremely prolific.

The windy weather on holiday means that the rest of winter will be extremely unpredictable and variable in terms of precipitation. On the night of January 18-19, 2020 strong gusts of wind are also expected.

But if on the night of Epiphany thick clouds close the sky and no stars can be seen, wait for strong floods in spring.