MOSCOW — This year’s celebration of the Orthodox Christian feast day of Epiphany has seen thousands of Russians unable to enjoy their cherished tradition of icy water immersion due to unexpectedly warm winter weather.
On January 19, many devoted individuals participate in this ritual by plunging into freezing waters, often through ice holes created in lakes and rivers. This act is a reflection of the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. For numerous participants, this practice is viewed as a means of enhancing both spiritual and physical health, although emergency responders remain present, prepared to assist anyone who may struggle with the sudden shock of the cold water.
However, due to the unusually high temperatures this winter, authorities in several regions have deemed the ice too fragile to support safe participation, leading to the cancellation of numerous events. Locations as far apart as the Saratov region in the south and Karelia, nearly 1,000 miles away near Finland, have had to halt their planned ceremonies.
In contrast, some regions remain committed to conducting their Epiphany rituals. For instance, in Anapa, a city on the Black Sea, local leaders assured that celebrations would proceed at their customary venue, even in light of significant oil spillage into the adjacent Kerch Strait following the sinking of two oil tankers during a storm on December 15.
Meteorologist Leonid Starkov, associated with Moscow’s Gismeteo service, noted the rising temperatures across the country over the past 25 years, correlating with global climate change. Starkov commented, “A large portion of Russia will experience warmth during these Epiphany festivities. The average temperatures are notably higher than usual. We are already observing thaws in cities like St. Petersburg and Moscow, while southern Russia is seeing temperatures hovering at around 5 to 10 degrees Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit).”
In response to the conditions, officials have been arranging alternative sites for those wishing to partake in the ice bathing tradition, often utilizing smaller rivers and lakes. These waters are still sufficiently cold to prompt some participants to quickly wrap themselves in large towels, as spectators bundle up in scarves, hats, and coats for warmth.
Moving forward, Starkov emphasizes the necessity for Russians to acclimate to increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, which will likely cause variations in temperatures ranging from exceedingly cold to unusually warm extremes. “Among the six Epiphany celebrations in the last 25 years that experienced colder than average temperatures, five were notably frigid. These extreme weather events appear to be on the rise,” he stated.
