Epiphany ice bathing in Ryazan draws enthusiastic participants
Most bathers aim to uphold the tradition and test their strength.
On the night of January 18-19, traditional Epiphany bathing took place at Orekhovoye Lake in Ryazan. It brought together believers and those who came to test themselves and support the folk tradition. There were not only locals but also foreigners. The water was blessed by Metropolitan Mark, and safety was ensured by all the city«s emergency services and volunteers. A correspondent from YA62.RU observed how it all went.
The night of January 18-19 was frosty — true Epiphany weather, as if from a fairy tale. But there were plenty of people wanting to bathe. The bathing hole in Ryazan was set up at Orekhovoye Lake in the Forest Park. People made their way through the woods, past snow-covered tree branches. Everything was organized well. To allow all who wished to bathe, buses ran from Freedom Square from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. They ran on schedule to the minute — though they were paid services.
Buses ran precisely on schedule that night.
Natalia, her daughter Kristina, and Kristina«s boyfriend Arseny were riding with me on the same bus. We got talking. It turned out that Natalia has been bathing for many years, while Kristina and Arseny came as a support group. But Arseny is still thinking — whether to test his strength or not.
An elegant dark-skinned guy is riding with us — clearly a foreign student. But I«m afraid to strike up a conversation — I don»t want to embarrass myself because my English leaves much to be desired.
Natalia, Arseny, and Kristina on their way to Orekhovoye Lake.
To get to the bathing site, one had to pass through security frames. Police thoroughly searched the bags of those who came. Even my rather small and typically unsuspicious bag was inspected, and they asked me to open the inner pocket.
Safety at the site was ensured by all the city«s emergency services and volunteers. There were people»s patrols, Cossacks, and a volunteer rescue team from the Medical University. Rescuers from the Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM), ambulance crews, and firefighters were on duty. EMERCOM set up four heated changing rooms — three for men and one for women. However, in the women«s room, something went wrong, and it temporarily stopped heating, but the issue was quickly fixed. The space between the bathing holes was covered with straw to prevent slipping and keep feet warm.
Most of those wanting to bathe arrived by 11 p.m. — at that time, the rite of the Great Blessing of Water began, conducted by Metropolitan Mark. Before blessing the water, he addressed the believers and said what thoughts one should have when plunging into the font.
«Bathing in the Jordan helps spiritual cleansing, but for renewal to occur, one must plunge into the Jordan with faith and hope for this renewal,» advised Mark.
Afterwards, he read a prayer and descended to the font to bless it. Then he congratulated the believers on the holiday, and people went to change clothes to plunge into the ice hole. Among those wanting to bathe were many young people — girls and boys.
Some people came with children, and little boys also bathed. The youngest was probably 5-6 years old; he went in holding his father«s hand and plunged three times head under, as is customary. »Now that«s a brave one!» a photographer from one of Ryazan«s media outlets sincerely admired. It was cold, and the press vainly tried to catch someone for an interview. But finally, the journalists got lucky. A strongman from Norilsk not only bathed properly but also gave an interview.
«And what are you doing in Ryazan?»
«We came to look around, planning to move here permanently,» answered the Norilsk resident, standing in front of cameras in swim trunks in nearly -30°C (-22°F) cold with the pleased smile of a vacationer in the Maldives.
In the changing room, where I went to warm up my frozen hands, I met Natalia and Kristina from the bus again.
«And our Arseny did bathe after all,» — «He was in front of me and the first thing he said was: »Auntie Natash, run from here«,» says Natalia, changing clothes.
She really liked the font this time.
«When they dig a large perimeter font, it ends up too shallow even for my height. And it»s really very cold, you want to go in, plunge head under, take a step, and get out. And this time, you dive, stretch out your arms, and you«re already on your way out. Plus, they made two of them so people wouldn»t have to queue in the frost,« explains Natalia.
Liza looks about 20, a beautiful natural blonde, she just plunged and is drying off with a terry towel in the changing room. I ask how it feels.
«It burns. It»s my first time bathing in Ryazan, and here everything is much better equipped. Before, I bathed in the region, there you go into the ice hole, then they pull you out by the hands and put you in a UAZ,« she says.
To those who want to try but are afraid, she advises to just go for it, because all fears are in the head.
I meet Arseny with Kristina again. He shares his impressions.
«Well, in short, it»s my first time at this event and I really liked it. People are all kind, they even gave me a towel to dry off. Well, these are just magnificent sensations. The «before» feelings were, of course, also magnificent, but after, it«s magnificent times over. I never regretted it,» says Arseny.
For athlete Arseny, the bathing has become a tradition.
For his namesake, who practices martial arts, this is not the first bathing. He says that the first time, the water seemed colder to him. He seems to be testing himself; after bathing, he walks on the snow, talks with friends, and doesn«t rush into the warm EMERCOM tent. Although he looks frozen.
After bathing, one can drink hot tea with lemon — strong, sweet, and tasty. Whether it«s the frost and atmosphere playing a role, or the special Epiphany water (it is said that on this night all water becomes healing), but you want more. Those who bathed simply drink tea and chat with each other. Three girls, Alina, Masha, and Darya, share their impressions.
Friends Alena, Masha, and Darya bathed to test themselves.
«The feelings after are very good; at first it»s very cold, and then the cold recedes,« says one of the girls.
They bathed as a group, primarily to test themselves and strengthen their will. They advise beginners to try it, but for the first time, go with someone more experienced.
Most people bathed in the first hour, but the flow of those wanting to plunge into the Jordan did not dry up even after midnight.
At the stop on the way back, I meet the student guy again, with whom I was afraid to start a conversation the first time. Now he is with friends, and his Russian is excellent. It turned out that he is a future therapist, his name is Gavriil Jordan, he came from Cameroon four years ago, and since then, every year he goes bathing for Epiphany. Jordan is Orthodox from birth, but in Cameroon, there is no tradition of Epiphany bathing. He only learned about it in Russia and decided to support it.
«The first time, I wasn»t scared because it was much warmer, not like today. Today is very cold, so it«s a bit hard. But it»s a tradition — this bathing reminds us of our Baptism, reminds us that we are Christians, that we follow Christ. And after bathing, the feeling is wonderful,« says Jordan.
And one can«t argue with that; people leave back inspired, in high spirits, everyone tries to give up their seat to others in the crowded bus, no one curses or pushes anyone, people are smiling and friendly. Truly, renewal.
