On the night of January 19, the rite of Epiphany bathing will take place. The events will take place from 18:00 on January 18 to 12:00 on January 19. It is expected that about 130 thousand people will take part in the ceremony. If there are more people interested, the opening hours of the sites will be extended. Read about where you can swim on the night of Epiphany in our material.
Central Administrative District
- Temple on Chisty Vrazhek.
- Big Garden Pond;
- Coastal passage, 7;
- Water stadium "Dynamo".
- Palace Pond.
All places for Epiphany bathing have safe approaches and descents to the water, as well as heated changing rooms, toilets and parking for cars.
VAO
- Lake Svyatoe;
- Lake Beloe;
- Terletsky Ponds;
- Red Pond;
- font "Vernissage";
- Babaevsky Pond;
- May Pond.
- Shibaevsky pond.
Southern Administrative District
- Borisovsky Pond (according to Rospotrebnadzor, the water in the pond does not meet sanitary standards);
- Tsaritsynsky pond;
- Becket pond (according to Rospotrebnadzor, the water in the pond does not meet sanitary standards).
During the events, the safety of citizens will be ensured by about 2.4 thousand people and 180 pieces of equipment, including 776 rescuers from the Ministry of Emergency Situations and volunteers, 21 rescue hovercraft, 163 vehicles, 1,587 police officers and 60 medical teams. At the same time, there will be almost three thousand vigilantes.
South-Western Administrative District
- Vorontsovsky Pond;
- pond of the sanatorium "Uzkoe";
- Troparevsky Pond;
- pond on Nakhimovsky Prospekt, 8;
- Chernevsky Pond;
- pond near the temple in Zakharyino.
Company
- Meshchersky Pond;
- Moscow River – Rublevo village;
- Moscow River – Filevskaya street, 40A;
- Moscow River – Filevsky Boulevard, 21.
- Baryshikha pond in Mitino;
- pond in the village Rozhdestveno;
- Derivation channel;
- pond No. 4 on the Chernushka River;
- PKiO "Northern Tushino";
- Stroginskaya floodplain;
- Kirov floodplain;
- Bottomless Lake;
- Karamyshevskaya embankment, 13-15;
- Zhivopisnaya street, 50;
- South Tushino, Lodochnaya street, building 19.
ZelAO
- Black Lake;
- Lake Shkolnoe.
For those Muscovites who prefer to stay at home on the night of January 19, the Window to the City portal will host a...
TiNAO
- Troitsk, Desna River, Zarechye recreation area;
- pond on the Treshna River, Chernetskoye village;
- pond in the village Epiphany;
- pond in the village Pokrovskoe;
- pond in the village Bylovo;
- pond in the village of Knutovo;
- pond in the village Oznobishino;
- pond in the Voskresenskoye educational establishment;
- pond in the village of Svinorye;
- pond of the Ulyanovsk forest park;
- pond in the village Mosrentgen;
- font in the village DO "Pleskovo";
- temple complex of the icon of the Mother of God in Shcherbinka;
- Church of the Holy Trinity in the village of Vasyunino;
- font in the village DSK "Michurinets";
- park "Rucheyok", Marushkino village;
- font in the village of Tovarishchevo;
- font in the village of Evseevo-Kuvekino;
- font in the village of Puchkovo;
- font in the village of Shishkin forest.
Here's what you need to know if you decide to go for a swim:
Swimming for Epiphany. Photo: sanrussia.ru
Epiphany is a great Orthodox holiday that has a long history, its own rituals, rules and traditions. It is this holiday that ends the Christmas holidays, which last from January 7 to January 19.
The history of the holiday goes back to the distant past, when God's son Jesus Christ was baptized in the Jordan River. This is where the integral tradition of swimming in an ice hole came from.
Every year the number of people who want to plunge into the ice-hole is only growing. However, not everyone knows the basic rules that must be followed when immersing in ice water.
When is the best time to swim?
Many people wonder when it is better to swim - on the eve of the holiday on January 18, or on the Epiphany itself on January 19.
It is believed that January 18 is the best time to go to church for an evening service. There you must read a prayer and take home holy water. However, in this case, you cannot take water from plastic or alcohol bottles. Holy water must have its own container, first washed well.
After the festive evening service, you can swim in the ice hole. The best time for this action is considered to be from 00:00 to 01:30. It was at this time that Epiphany water has the most powerful healing properties that help against any ailments. Of course, not everyone can get up at such a time to swim, so this can be done at any time as early as Epiphany itself on January 19th.
How to plunge into an ice hole correctly
You can plunge into the ice hole only in specially designated areas and under the supervision of rescuers. Initially, a special Jordan in the form of a cross should be carved into the ice; after the priest lowers the crucifix into the water and reads a prayer, you can swim in it.
You can't just go into the water. The body will already be in a state of shock, and if certain rules are not followed, the consequences can be disastrous:
- An hour before swimming, you must eat, but do not drink alcoholic beverages;
- before swimming you need to warm up your body, do a warm-up, go for a run;
- clothes should be simple so that they can be easily taken off and put on;
- You can’t go to the ice hole barefoot, it’s best to wear boots or good woolen socks, you need to wear them so as not to slip;
- check the stability of the ladder or descent into the water;
- You need to enter the water gradually, do not do it abruptly, otherwise you can provoke problems with pressure. Diving into the water is also not recommended, as a state of shock may occur;
- the maximum time spent in water should not exceed 30 seconds, this is enough to take a dip three times;
- You can’t plunge headlong; it’s best to do it only up to your neck. If you plunge headlong, the blood vessels can sharply narrow, this will lead to a sharp drop in temperature and a state of shock in the body;
- try not to swim in cold water, your limbs may cramp;
- if you have a child with you, keep an eye on him; in a state of shock from cold water, he may forget that he can swim;
- when leaving the water, hold the handrails not with wet hands, but with a dry towel;
- After swimming, dry yourself again with a towel;
- To warm up, herbal or berry tea is best, but again, never alcoholic drinks.
What you need to have with you
In order for swimming in the Epiphany ice hole to be successful, you need to have a number of seemingly everyday, but in this case very necessary items with you.
These include:
- towel and terry robe;
- a set of dry clothes;
- swimsuit or change of underwear (you are also allowed to take a dip in it);
- slippers to prevent slipping on ice, and wool socks are best;
- a rubber cap so as not to get your head wet and then not freeze in the cold;
- willpower and desire.
Contraindications
As it turns out, in the case of swimming in an ice hole, there are many contraindications that can not only spoil the effect of this action, but also lead to exacerbations of diseases.
- with the cardiovascular system;
- with the central nervous system - epilepsy, consequences of severe skull injuries; cerebral vascular sclerosis in an advanced stage, syringomyelia; encephalitis, arachnoiditis;
- with the peripheral nervous system - neuritis, polyneuritis;
- with the endocrine system - diabetes mellitus, thyrotoxicosis;
- inflammatory processes of the nasopharynx;
- with the organs of vision - glaucoma, conjunctivitis;
- with the respiratory system - pulmonary tuberculosis, pneumonia, bronchial asthma;
- with the genitourinary system - nephritis, cystitis, inflammation of the appendages, inflammation of the prostate gland.
Maria Babich
The Orthodox Church celebrates Epiphany, or Epiphany, on January 19 (new style). This is the most ancient holiday among Christians, and its establishment goes back to the times of the disciples and apostles of Christ. It also has ancient names: “Epiphany” - phenomenon, “Theophany” - Epiphany, “Holy Lights”, “Feast of Lights” or simply “Lights”, since it was the Lord Himself who came into the world on this day to show him the Light Unapproachable.
Feast of Epiphany
The word “baptize” or “baptize” is translated from Greek as “immersing in water.” It is almost impossible to understand the importance and meaning of what baptismal bathing is without having an idea of the symbolic meaning of water in the Old Testament.
Water is the beginning of life. It was she who fertilized all living beings that came from her. Where there is no water, there is a lifeless desert. And water can destroy, as during the Great Flood, when God flooded the sinful lives of people and thereby destroyed the evil that they did.
God made water holy with His Baptism, and now the Blessing of Water is traditionally celebrated in memory of this event. At this time, water is blessed in all Orthodox churches, and then in rivers and reservoirs.
Jordan
On this day, a popular procession called the “Procession to the Jordan” is traditionally carried out in order to bless the water and then arrange Epiphany swimming in the ice hole. John's baptism meant that just as a body washed with water is cleansed, so a repentant soul who has believed in God will be cleansed of sins by the Savior.
The biblical story tells how Jesus came from Nazareth in those days and John baptized him in the Jordan River. When Jesus came out of the water, the heavens opened and the Spirit descended on Him like a dove. And a voice was heard from heaven: “You are my beloved son, in whom is my blessing.” Epiphany revealed to people the great mystery of the Holy Trinity, to which everyone who is baptized joins.
Then Christ told his apostles to go and teach this to all nations.
Epiphany bathing
Traditions The tradition of the blessing of water among our ancestors dates back to those ancient times, when in 988 the Kiev prince Vladimir baptized Rus'. Now only a priest can perform the rite of blessing of water, since at this time special prayers are read with the cross being immersed in water three times. This is done on the feast of Epiphany itself after the liturgy. But first, before this, an ice hole is made in the reservoir, usually in the form of a cross, called “Jordan”.
These days, Epiphany water is a real shrine that can heal and strengthen a person’s mental and physical strength. Therefore, such a solemn procession of consecration is carried out near the ice-hole of the reservoir in order to make swimming at Epiphany accessible for people. Orthodox people take water from the ice hole and wash themselves, but the bravest and bravest literally dive into it.
Traditions of ancestors
The Russian tradition of swimming in an ice hole was borrowed from the ancient Scythians, who tempered their babies this way. They simply dipped them in cold water and thereby accustomed them to the harsh climate conditions. In addition, the tradition of swimming in an ice hole was also in pagan rituals, this is how initiation into warriors took place. Even today in Rus' they like to rub themselves with snow or jump into cold water after a bathhouse.
Some pagan rituals have taken root in our lives to this day. That's why we swim in the ice hole and celebrate Maslenitsa, which is tied to the beginning of Lent.
Epiphany holiday
According to church rules, on Epiphany Eve there is a “great consecration of water.” Believers come to church services, light candles and draw blessed water. However, there is no need to plunge into the ice hole; this happens at the person’s own request.
In general, in Rus' it was believed that swimming in an ice hole at Epiphany promotes healing from many ailments. Water, like living matter, is capable of changing its structure under the influence of information, so everything depends on the thoughts in a person’s head. Epiphany bathing turns into entire folk festivities; photographs of this celebration always show how fun and interesting they are.
Bathing at Epiphany. How to do it right
- When a person plunges headlong into cold water, he experiences a sharp stimulation of the central nervous system and cerebral cortex, which generally has a positive effect on the entire body.
- Exposure to low temperatures is briefly perceived by the body as stress, which can relieve inflammation, swelling and spasms.
- The thermal conductivity of the air enveloping the body is 28 times less than the thermal conductivity of water. This is the hardening effect.
- Cold water forces the body to release additional forces, and after contact with it, the temperature of the human body rises to 40 degrees Celsius. And as you know, at such a mark, microbes, diseased cells and viruses die.
But this fun and harmless, at first glance, activity can lead to a number of unpleasant moments. Epiphany bathing does not require any special preparation. The human body is adapted to the cold, and therefore only the attitude is important here.
What can happen to the human body when immersed in an ice hole?
Bathing rules
Swimming in Epiphany frosts means following certain rules. The main thing is that the ice hole is specially equipped and all this action takes place under the supervision of rescuers. The population is usually informed about such public swimming places. Swimming in an ice hole requires the presence of swimming trunks or a swimsuit, a terry robe and towel, as well as a set of dry clothes, slippers or woolen socks, a rubber cap and hot tea.
Before you arrange a bath at Epiphany, it is very important to know how to do it correctly. First, you need to warm up a little with exercises, or even better, go for a run.
You must approach the ice hole wearing non-slip, comfortable, easily removable shoes or socks.
It is also necessary to check the stability of the ladder, and to be on the safe side, throw a rope firmly attached to the shore into the water
You need to plunge into the ice hole up to your neck, and it is better not to get your head wet so that the blood vessels in the brain do not narrow. Jumping headlong into an ice hole is also undesirable, as a loss of temperature can cause shock. Cold water will immediately cause rapid breathing, and this is completely normal, this is the body's way of adapting to the cold.
It is dangerous to stay in water for more than one minute; the body may cool down. You also need to be very careful about children who, when frightened, may forget that they know how to swim. You also need to be able to get out of an ice hole so as not to fall, and to do this you need to hold on tightly to the handrails and use a dry rag.
After swimming, you need to thoroughly rub yourself with a towel and put on dry clothes. It is best to immediately drink hot tea from herbs or berries, prepared in advance in a thermos.
On this day, drinking alcohol is strictly prohibited, as it negatively affects the natural thermoregulation of the whole body, so the consequences may be different. It is also important to know that swimming on an empty or, conversely, full stomach is also unacceptable.
Contraindications for swimming
No matter how useful Epiphany bathing is, there are still contraindications for it. And they relate to acute and chronic diseases. This is a disruption of the cardiovascular system (heart defects, hypertension, heart attacks), the central nervous system (skull injuries, epilepsy), the endocrine system (thyrotoxicosis, diabetes), visual organs (conjunctivitis, glaucoma), respiratory organs (asthma, pneumonia , tuberculosis), genitourinary system (cystitis, inflammation of the appendages or prostate gland), gastrointestinal tract (ulcers, cholecystitis, hepatitis), skin and venereal diseases; inflammation of the nasopharynx and otitis, etc.
Doctors' opinion
Medical experts in this area believe that in order for swimming in an ice hole at Epiphany not to bring any unexpected troubles, you need to be absolutely healthy. And this is especially dangerous for those who smoke or drink alcohol, as the flow of blood to the lungs can cause inflammation or even swelling of the bronchi and pneumonia.
In young people, not to mention the elderly, the arteries are not always able to react correctly to cold water, and at this moment breathing and then the heart may stop. If you engage in systematic winter swimming, it will certainly contribute to the health of the body, but when this happens infrequently, then everything will become very stressful for it, so before swimming you need to seriously weigh the pros and cons.
Conclusion
Many people heroically decide to swim in an ice hole at Epiphany, even though this idea may be unsafe. However, the people's Epiphany bathing is very nice, photographs from these holidays turn out to be quite expressive, someone is just getting ready to go into the water, someone is already happy that they took a swim, and someone is already warming up and drinking hot tea.
Many believers believe that swimming in an ice hole at Epiphany is a great blessing for a true Orthodox person. And that's how it is. Only the main thing here is to understand whether this faith is strong and deep enough for you to become a real shield from all troubles at the moment when the baptismal bath takes place.
Oksana Pankova, SYLru
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This is one of the biggest New Year holidays. But not everyone knows what day to swim in the ice hole. When and why this needs to be done, we will now tell you in the article.
- Let's figure out the dates
- Basic rules for dipping
- The meaning of diving into an ice hole
- Bathing process
- Main mistakes
- Is this really necessary?
- Contraindications
Let's figure out the dates
Very often in January you can hear the following question: “When should you dive into the ice hole, on the 18th or 19th?”
It is customary that believers should come to church on January 18th. On this day you need to pray and bless the water. But on Epiphany, on the 19th, you need to swim in an ice hole. 
But this should be done at night. Optimal time for swimming: from 00.10 to 01.30. It is in this interval that water will have healing properties. She will be able to heal people from illnesses and forgive sins.
Basic rules for dipping
At first glance, this ritual is very simple. But it only seems so, you need to familiarize yourself with the important rules:
1. Quick dive. The sooner you dive, the lower your risk of hypothermia.
2. 20 second rule. This is the ideal time to stay in cold water. During these seconds, blood will have time to reach the heart. But if you are diving for the first time, then stay in the icy water for at least 10-15 seconds. 
3. Drying with a towel. If you do this right away, you may damage the skin or small capillaries.
4. Dress quickly. Prepare comfortable clothes in advance and leave them as close to the ice hole as possible.
5. Jogging. Running will help you warm up quickly. Immediately after getting dressed, go for a run along the river bank. Or do some exercise.
The meaning of diving into an ice hole
The ritual of bathing in cold water can protect you from many diseases. But it is better to prepare for this procedure in advance. For example, douse yourself with cold water at home. The more the body is hardened, the easier the ritual of swimming in an ice hole will be.
During a dive, kilocalories of heat are lost. Therefore, a protective reaction is triggered in the body - the pores narrow and blood flows to the most important organs. This is necessary to retain heat.
Also, the heart beats faster and blood pressure rises. After all, blood circulation occurs in smaller volumes.
Bathing process
Before diving, the ice hole is blessed. Also, there is a special entrance there. You can approach the ice hole undressed, but you need to take off your shoes at the last moment. For example, you can take warm slippers or wool socks with you. You are not allowed to dive in swimsuits. This should be done in shirts so as not to expose the body.
Plunge completely into the water several times and quickly get out of there. If you stay in the cold for a long time, your limbs will cramp. Immediately throw a large towel or blanket over yourself. Hot tea or coffee will help you warm up.
Main mistakes
To make swimming as comfortable as possible, familiarize yourself with the main misconceptions:
· Partial immersion. If you decide to dive, then you need to do it with your whole body. Very often people do not wash their heads and make a serious mistake. After all, a sharp temperature change inside the body can cause vasospasm.
If you have long hair, use a shower cap. After all, you won’t be able to dry your hair quickly. 
· Wrong food. We have already told you that kilocalories of heat are lost during a dive. Therefore, you need to stock up on energy. It can be obtained from fatty foods. Such as: lard, nuts, bread, raisins and others. Eat this food before swimming.
· Patting on the body. Even if you lightly hit your skin, you can injure it.
· Warm up. Very often, people get very hot before swimming. But this is absolutely impossible to do. After all, then there will be an even greater temperature difference and the person will suffer greatly. As a result, the muscles will receive microtrauma.
· Drinking alcoholic beverages. The church prohibits drinking alcohol on this holiday. Also, it only gives a temporary feeling of warmth. After dilation, the blood vessels will quickly narrow, and you will freeze even faster.
Is this really necessary?
On this day, you must attend the service and confess. But you can do without diving into an ice hole. After all, this is not a mandatory ritual.
The clergy believe that if a person believes in the special properties of water, then he only needs to wash his face with cold water.
Contraindications
It is prohibited to swim in the following cases:
· If you have any serious illness, it is better to skip the procedure of diving into ice water. Also, you should not swim if you have a high fever or other illness. Even
The disease is very mild or not very serious, it is better to abstain. There could be dire consequences.
· Pregnant girls are not allowed to swim. After all, a sharp change in temperature can provoke premature contractions. Or more serious problems.
· If you have problems with your heart or blood pressure, do not go swimming in cold water. This will only worsen your health problems.
· Also, you should not dive into cold water if you have diabetes or problems with urination.
Baptism has its own rituals and traditions, a rich history. And the most important thing is to understand the meaning inherent in this holiday. Epiphany is an important day of the year for Orthodox people. After all, it is then that a person’s spiritual renewal occurs.
On January 19, one of the most significant Christian holidays begins, and many cannot imagine it without personal participation - that is, immersion in icy Epiphany water in special ice holes. In Russia, on Epiphany, it is customary to bless water, including in natural reservoirs, for which a cross-shaped hole - a Jordan - is cut in the ice. Previously, those who took part in Christmas fortune-telling and mummery dipped into the ice hole primarily to wash away their sins. It was also believed that evil spirits, who freely walked the earth all Christmastide, were leaving for the Jordan. Water blessed at Epiphany is considered healing. The clergy wear white robes for this holiday.
It is believed that Epiphany water brings spiritual and physical health; About 600,000 people take part in Epiphany bathing in Russia on January 18 and 19 during the day.
The “great consecration of water” takes place in all churches. According to church canons, on Epiphany Eve a believer must come to church, stand for the service, light a candle, and draw blessed water. But no one demands to plunge into ice water, especially if a person is not ready for this.
There are no strict rules on how to bathe at Epiphany. But, according to custom, bathing involves immersing your head in water three times. At the same time, the believer is baptized and says “In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit!” Usually, long shirts are sewn for swimming, in which immersion is performed, similar to baptismal shirts. They are the same for men and women. It is believed that if parishioners wear swimsuits, then the bodies on display are dissonant with traditional Christian decency.
Immersion in ice water is very stressful. The adrenal glands react sharply and powerfully to it, releasing into the blood a large dose of potent anti-inflammatory hormones, which are normally released a little at a time. They suppress all inflammatory reactions by simply “suppressing” the immune system, helping to withstand cold, and adapting the body to withstand stress.
If you properly prepare for a dive, a person with average health can easily endure a one-time dive. But if he is even slightly weakened, in three or four days he will have to pay for his courage.
Before diving into an ice hole, you should not drink alcohol - alcohol will only help with rapid hypothermia and put extra strain on the heart. You should not swim for more than one and a half minutes, or dive headlong.
Before diving, you should definitely consult a doctor. For people with diabetes, arrhythmia, kidney problems, and women with gynecological diseases, it is better to forget about the ice hole. Hypertensive patients may have a stroke.
A week before diving, it is better to start preparing your body for the cold. For the first 3-4 days, it’s enough to go out onto the balcony for a minute in shorts and a T-shirt. In the remaining days, add cold water dousing. One or two (in the last two days) bowls of cold water will be enough.
Also, a week before swimming in an ice hole, you need to exclude citrus fruits, greens, rose hips and other foods rich in vitamin C from your diet - it stimulates the immune system, but it is not necessary to stimulate the immune system more than the act of immersion will do: it will be too much, the immune system will “fall” greatly . Two hours before diving, you must eat a hearty meal, that is, provide the body with “fuel”. In cold water, the body will quickly begin to spend all its resources on heating, and not a single kilocalorie will be superfluous.
Clothes and shoes should be easy and quick to take off and put on. Dress appropriately. Ideally, clothes should not have fasteners at all, in extreme cases - a zipper. Fastening buttons in the cold, much less tying shoelaces, will be problematic. In addition, you should take a mat. You can stand on it while drying yourself and changing clothes. The hat should be put on immediately after leaving the water.
Immediately after ablution, you need to rub yourself with a terry towel and hurry to a warm room. You cannot be on the ice in front of a large crowd of people, and it is strictly forbidden to drive a car onto the ice.
Not all weather is suitable for swimming. The ideal temperature for beginners is 2 to 5 degrees below zero. You can risk diving into even colder temperatures, but –10°C is a dangerous threshold for a person trying to dive into an ice hole for the first time. You should enter the water warmed up and gradually. This makes it easier to bear the cold. To warm up before the procedure, you can run for a few minutes, do squats, and do active movements. You need to enter the water slowly, at an average pace: if you go slowly, you may have time to freeze, but if you go quickly, you may become frightened, severe stress, your pulse and blood pressure rise sharply, and you can take your breath away. Having reached your knees, you need to rinse your face with water and wash your face. This will also prepare the body for complete immersion.
You should swim in specially equipped ice holes near the shore, preferably near rescue stations, under the supervision of lifeguards. The ice hole should be well cleared of ice fragments to prevent slipping and injury, and to make getting out easier. It is advisable that it has a ladder or a shallow area for easy exit from the water. You should never dive alone in case you need help. Avoid swimming if you have a heart condition. Remember that staying in ice water for unhardened people can lead to general hypothermia of the body. At its first signs - chills, trembling, bluishness of the skin, lips, pain in the fingers and toes - the person already needs help. No need to sit in the hole until you get goosebumps. Chills are a sign that the body has begun to become hypothermic. As soon as you feel this, you should immediately get out of the water. On average, it is enough to stay in the water for 10 seconds - you can just plunge three times, as required by tradition.
In case of mild hypothermia, it is enough to dress the victim warmly, give him hot tea and force him to do intense physical exercise. For moderate and severe hypothermia, rub with a woolen cloth and massage the whole body. Then dress warmly and put her to bed. Warming should be gradual so that there is no sudden temperature change.
Do not go out onto the ice unless necessary, do not leave children unattended near a river or pond, make sure that the ice you are going out on is strong enough.