Epiphany Bathing with Samovar and Bagels

January, 19 all Christians celebrate Epiphany - the third and final holiday of the Christmas-New Year cycle of holydays. It has been long considered that in this day water gains healing abilities treating illnesses of body and mind.
Traditionally, on the Epiphany, after services in the churches and the consecration of water believers bathe in the reservoirs and rivers.
This year all the beaches of Kherson were crowded. The procession headed by rector of the St. Kasperovskogo church archpriest John (Gordienko) came to Hydropark beach around 12 a.m. He held a holyday service over the Dnieper waters. After that, all volunteers were able to experience what Epiphany Bathing is. Many public figures and entrepreneurs follow this tradition. They confirmed it by dipping themselves into icy water. To make the participants feel warm and comfortable, Ustin Maltsev Charitable Foundation, public organizations Vlada Narodu and Eco Soyuz organized the place where all present were treated with tea and bagels.