Russian President Putin immerses in sub-zero waters to mark Orthodox Epiphany – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday morning marked Orthodox Epiphany by immersing himself in the sub-zero waters clambering through a hole in the ice, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov informed.
The 71-year-old performed the rituals, which is an yearly practice for certain Russian Orthodox Christians. However, Peskov didnot specify where the annual rituals were carried out.
Epiphany is celebrated every January 19 in which the faithful dive into ponds and pools through holes in the ice.
Apprehending threat of attacks from Kyiv, a Russian city bordering Ukrainian border, Belgorod, cancelled its traditional Orthodox Epiphany celebrations.
Cross-border attacks have been more common in recent weeks in the border town which has a population of 3,40,000.
According to regional officials, on December 30, shelling in Belgorod killed 21 people and injured 110, in what was one of the bloodiest strikes on Russian soil since Moscow’s full-fledged invasion of its neighbor.