Bathing in the ice hole at Epiphany can be called a popular tradition. Often so many people gather near the font different ages that seems like anyone can handle it. However, we must not forget that immersion in cold water, especially unprepared, threatens with hypothermia, which can turn into very serious consequences up to a stroke. In order not to risk your health, you should prepare for Epiphany bathing in advance. The therapist told the TAM.BY team how to do it medical center"Kravira" Valentina Kovsh.

Is it worth jumping into the hole at all?

In my opinion, you need to immediately raise the question: why does a person do this? - explains the expert. - If he does not harden and does it just for the sake of showing off, he should not be let into the hole, for the body this can be a sentence. The minimum risk is a cold up to pneumonia, the maximum is serious hypothermia, due to which you will have to call an ambulance.

First of all, it is worth remembering that people with diseases of the cardiovascular, urinary, bronchopulmonary systems, gastrointestinal tract, or experiencing problems with pressure, first need to go for a consultation with a doctor. The same applies to those who have problems with the spine: for example, osteochondrosis or osteoarthritis. It is also undesirable to allow children and the elderly, whose bodies are the least prepared for such shocking conditions, to the ice hole.

Where to begin?

A few months before a real dive, you need to start the hardening procedures. Best of all - in the summer. By the way, this is generally good for health: the body learns to adapt to extreme conditions, thermoregulation, pressure, endurance, muscle tone, blood circulation and metabolism are improved.

It must be understood that hardening is not just a preparation for something, it is a personal attitude of a person. If he decides to seriously engage in hardening, he should visit a doctor, undergo examinations in order to choose a form and program. Classes are held gradually, a person gradually gets used to the cold temperature. Ideally, this should take at least six months, or even a whole year.

If you just need to plunge into ice-cold water once a year with minimal health consequences, then turn to traditional hardening exercises.

The first way is water hardening. It can be dousing or wiping, a contrast shower, bathing. You can start, for example, with classic douches. You can also go to the river and take a dip there. But the air temperature should not be lower than 15 degrees. The main thing is not to overdo it. Bathing is worth as long as you feel cheerfulness, not chills. As you get used to cold water, the duration of the sessions can be increased.

Also go barefoot more often. This exercise stimulates many points that are on the feet. This strengthens the immune system and the body copes better with colds.

Aerotherapy, that is, long walks in the fresh air, may seem like something frivolous, but in this way the skin receptors and the nerve endings of the mucous membrane are cooled. This not only helps to improve the thermoregulation of the body and strengthens the immune system, but also improves the mental and emotional state.

Another way is heliotherapy, or hardening by the sun. Here you just need to sunbathe, taking precautions. Don't be in the sun too hot weather. Best time for sunbathing before 10 am and after 5 pm. This procedure strengthens the body, improves blood circulation.

Remember, if the idea to dive into the hole came suddenly and there is no time for full-scale hardening, you can try to set yourself up with at least minimal means. For example, wipe yourself with a towel soaked in cold water. Either take a contrast shower or go out on the balcony in a T-shirt and shorts in the morning. But do not forget that the benefits of this will not be the greatest.

When hardening, it is very important to be attuned to the process. If you feel physically unwell or just not in the mood, then it is better to postpone everything for the next time.

Practicing before swimming in the hole

If before Epiphany you want to test yourself in cold water, and not in the shower, there are several options for you.

The first, very obvious, but not very safe, is to go to the reservoir. Of course, it’s better not to go alone, it is advisable to find like-minded walruses who do this professionally and will be able to control you.

Another way is immersion in a font with ice water. Of course, this is not comparable to swimming in sub-zero temperatures, but to some extent it can prepare you.

You can find these fonts in Minsk baths and saunas. For example, in Robinson Club or Evenings.

What to do before swimming in the hole and after it

Firstly, it is better to give up alcohol, both before the ice hole and after - it can hit the heart.

If a person takes alcohol before jumping into the hole or immediately after, it may seem to him that he has warmed up, he is warm and even hot, although the body will only get worse.

Secondly, choose comfortable clothes and shoes, with the minimum amount buttons and fasteners, so as not to waste extra time fastening. Don't forget a large terry towel that can absorb as much moisture as possible.

Thirdly, before meeting with cold water, it is worth warming up the body and dispersing the blood. To do this, it is enough to squat.

Undress before bathing should be gradual, leaving shoes at the end. Before diving, you can stand on the snow for a while so that the body catches the signal and begins preparation. There is also no need for a decisive and confident jump into the water - you can start by rubbing your hands.

Already in the water, do not forget that it is better not to wet your head - this can cause arrhythmia. And it is advisable to stay in the hole for no longer than 2-3 minutes.

After you get out on the ice, immediately wipe your body with a terry towel, put on dry clothes and pour yourself hot tea. It is advisable, while you come to your senses, not to stand still.

In order to more or less normally prepare for swimming in the hole, it is worth tempering. There really are no other options. You can't prepare to fall from high altitude there will still be injuries. So it is with swimming. No big lunch fish fat Or alcohol won't help. The only thing that will help you quickly recover is warm tea before and after the ice hole, clothes, a heating pad and a warm room.

Are you going to plunge into the hole? Tell in the comments!

The Orthodox Church on January 19 (according to the new style) celebrates Epiphany, or Epiphany. This is the most ancient holiday among Christians, and its establishment goes back to the time of the disciples-apostles of Christ. It also has ancient names: “Epiphany” - a 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 "I baptize" or "I baptize" with Greek translates as "I immerse in water." It is almost impossible to understand the importance and the very meaning of what baptismal bathing is without having an idea of ​​what symbolic meaning water has in Old Testament.

Water is the beginning of life. It was she who fertilized all living beings that originated from her. Where there is no water, there is a lifeless desert. And water is capable of destroying, as in the time of the Great Flood, when God flooded the sinful life of people and thereby destroyed the evil that they did.

God made the water holy with his Baptism, and now the Blessing of the Water is traditionally celebrated in memory of this event. At this time, water is consecrated in all Orthodox churches, and then in rivers and reservoirs.

Jordan

On this day, a traditional procession called the "Procession to the Jordan" is traditionally carried out in order to bless the water and then arrange an Epiphany bathing in the hole. The baptism of John meant that just as a body washed with water is cleansed, so a penitent soul that believes in God will be cleansed from sins by the Savior.

The Bible story tells how Jesus from Nazareth came in those days, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. When Jesus came out of the water, the heavens opened, and the Spirit, like a dove, descended on Him. And a voice was heard from heaven: "You are my beloved son, in whom is my blessing." Epiphany revealed to people great secret Holy Trinity, to which every baptized person joins.

Then Christ told his apostles to go and teach this to all nations.

Epiphany bathing

Traditions Kyiv prince Vladimir baptized Rus'. Now, only a priest can perform the rite of consecration of water, since at this time special prayers are read with a triple immersion in the water of the cross. This is done on the feast of Epiphany after the liturgy. But first, before this, a hole is made in the reservoir, usually in the form of a cross, called the “Jordan”.

These days, Epiphany water is a real shrine that can heal and strengthen the mental and physical strength of a person. Therefore, such a solemn procession of consecration is performed near the hole in the reservoir in order to make bathing at Epiphany available to people. Orthodox people draw water from the hole and wash themselves, but the most daring and courageous people literally dive into it.

ancestral traditions

The Russians borrowed the tradition of swimming in the hole from the ancient Scythians, who tempered their babies in this way. They simply dipped them in cold water and thus accustomed them to harsh climate conditions. In addition, the tradition of swimming in the hole was also in pagan rituals, this is how initiation into warriors took place. And still in Rus' they like to rub themselves with snow after a bath or jump into cold water.

Some pagan rites have taken root in our lives to this day. Therefore, we bathe in the hole and celebrate Maslenitsa, which is tied to the beginning of Lent.

Epiphany holiday

According to church rules, V Epiphany Christmas Eve there is a "great consecration of water." Believers come to church services, put candles and collect blessed water. However, plunging into the hole is not required, this happens by own will person.

In general, in Rus' it was believed that bathing in an ice hole at Baptism promotes healing from many ailments. Water, as a living matter, is able to change its structure under the influence of information, so everything depends on the thoughts in a person’s head. In whole festivities Epiphany bathing is transformed, photos of this celebration always show how fun and interesting they are.

Bathing at Epiphany. How to

    But this fun and harmless, at first glance, activity can lead to a number of unpleasant moments. Epiphany bathing does not particularly imply special preparation. The human body is adapted to the cold, and therefore only the mood is important here.

    What can happen to human body diving into an ice hole?

    1. When a person is immersed in cold water with his head, he has a sharp excitation of the central nervous systems s and the cerebral cortex, which generally has a positive effect on the entire body.
    2. Impact low temperatures short-term perceived by the body as stress, which can relieve inflammation, swelling and spasms.
    3. The thermal conductivity of the air enveloping the body is 28 times less than the thermal conductivity of water. This is the hardening effect.
    4. Cold water causes 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.

    Bathing rules

    Bathing in Epiphany frosts implies the implementation of certain rules. The main thing at the same time is that the hole is specially equipped and all this action takes place under the supervision of rescuers. The population is usually informed about such mass bathing places. Swimming in an ice-hole requires the presence of swimming trunks or a swimsuit, a terry dressing gown and towels, as well as a set of dry clothes, slippers or woolen socks, a rubber cap and hot tea.

    Before arranging a bath in Baptism, it is very important to know how to do it correctly. First you need to warm up a little with exercises, and even better, do a jog.

    The ice-hole must be approached in non-slip, comfortable, easily removable shoes or socks.

    It is also necessary to check the stability of the ladder, and to secure it, throw a rope firmly fixed on the shore into the water.

    It is necessary to plunge into the hole up to the neck, and it is better not to wet the head, so that there is no narrowing of the vessels of the brain. Jumping into an ice hole with your head is also undesirable, as a loss of temperature can cause shock. Cold water will immediately cause rapid breathing, and this is completely normal, as the body adapts to the cold.

    It is dangerous to be in water for more than one minute, the body may cool down. You also need to be very careful with children who, if frightened, may forget that they can swim. You also need to be able to get out of the hole so as not to fall, and for this you need to hold on tightly to the handrails and at the same time use a dry rag.

    After bathing, you need to thoroughly rub yourself with a towel and put on dry clothes. Immediately it is best to drink hot tea from herbs or berries, prepared in advance in a thermos.

    On this day, it is strictly forbidden to drink alcohol, as it negatively affects the natural thermoregulation of the whole organism, and therefore the consequences may be different. It is also important to know that it is also unacceptable to swim on an empty stomach or, conversely, a clogged stomach.

    Bathing contraindications

    No matter how useful baptismal bathing is, there are still contraindications for this. And they relate to acute and chronic diseases. This is a disruption of cardio-vascular system(heart defects, hypertension, heart attacks), central nervous system (cranial injury, epilepsy), 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 (ulcer, cholecystitis, hepatitis), skin and venereal diseases; inflammation of the nasopharynx and otitis, etc.

    Opinion of physicians

    Medical experts in this field believe that in order for bathing in the 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 blood flow 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 properly respond to cold water, and at this point, respiratory arrest may occur, and then the heart. If you engage in systemic winter swimming, then this will certainly contribute to the improvement of the body, but when this happens infrequently, then everything will become a strong stress for him, so you need to seriously weigh the pros and cons before swimming.

    Conclusion

    Many people on Epiphany heroically decide to swim in the hole, although this idea may not be safe. However, people's Epiphany bathing is very nice, the photos from these holidays are quite expressive, someone is just getting ready to go into the water, someone is already happy that he took a swim, and someone is already warming up and drinking hot tea.

    Many believers believe that swimming in the hole at Baptism for a true Orthodox person is a great blessing. And that's the way it is. Only here the main thing 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 Epiphany bathing takes place.

    Oksana Pankova, SYLru

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Published: 14.12.2017 Category: Author's essay

Russia is an Orthodox country. In a difficult period in the life of the church from the revolution to perestroika, tens of thousands of churches were destroyed, and a whole generation grew up knowing nothing about Orthodoxy. But, like a phoenix from the ashes, Orthodoxy is reborn in the life of Russians. Temples, monasteries are being restored, Sunday schools, orthodox television channels.

The return of the church into people's lives means a return to Orthodox holidays. There are many such holidays, but among them there are 12 most significant, the so-called twelfth. In large church iconostases there is a so-called "holiday rite". The icons of this row depict these most important holidays of the Orthodox faith. One of them is Baptism.

John the Baptist, at the request of Jesus Christ, performed his baptism in the waters of the Jordan River. At that moment, the Holy Spirit descended on Christ. The Feast of the Epiphany is celebrated in memory of this event.

To be baptized in the waters of the Jordan and today is considered very important event for the new Christian. Believers from all over the world tend to visit this place, take a dip or draw water from the Jordan.

How is Epiphany celebrated?

In Russian Orthodox Church Epiphany is always celebrated on January 19, this is a non-transferable holiday, i.e. unrelated, like Easter, to the lunar calendar.

At Epiphany in Russia, water was blessed. A polynya was cut in the ice, often in the form of a cross, over which a temporary chapel "Jordan" was installed. In the 17th and 18th centuries this chapel was called the "Jordan Canopy". There was a procession from the temple to the hole to bless the water. The procession was very colorful. At the head of the procession, the priest sprinkled the road. Behind him were people with banners and icons. They were followed by women with small icons from the monasteries and the cathedral. At the end of the procession, in accordance with the ranks, the priests of the city and its inhabitants followed.

From the cathedral to the Jordan they carried an altar cross for the blessing of water, which was immersed in the water of the hole.

Modern church leaders argue that mass swimming in the polynya is a relatively new tradition. Until 1917, only a religious procession took place at Epiphany, and water was blessed. But only after perestroika, bathing in the hole at Epiphany became widespread.

consecrated, Epiphany water considered holy and has healing powers. Such water stands and does not deteriorate for more than a year. All diseases are treated with such water, they wash themselves, sprinkle the patient's bed. Only women in critical days you can't use that water.

In Greek, “to baptize” means “to immerse in water.” Bathing in the hole at Baptism is washing away sins and entering into New Year sinless.

Why bathe at Epiphany? To some extent, it has become a fashion. Not all people entering the ice hole are believers. But the church supports this innovation. Every year, extreme entertainment gets closer to the church holiday.

Bathing in ice water, which is also consecrated, is a great way to harden. The clergy claim that for all the years of mass bathing, no cases of the disease have been recorded.

Every year everything more people want to plunge into the font at Epiphany. Most of them believe that bathing in the hole at Baptism will cleanse them of their sins.

How to prepare for bathing at Epiphany?

The Feast of Epiphany is preceded by a rather strict one-day fast. On January 18, it is allowed to eat sochen - cakes in hemp oil and kutya. The house should be cleaned, trash thrown away.

Swimming in the hole at Epiphany is not recommended for people with certain diseases. These diseases include bronchial asthma, lung diseases, hypertension, hypotension, thyroid disease, epilepsy, heart disease.

Prayers uttered at Baptism are sure to come true. On this day, according to church canons, the heavens open, and they will be heard.

How to bathe in Epiphany?

The rules for baptismal bathing are quite simple. They do not require special preparation for bathing in the hole for Epiphany.

How to bathe in Epiphany? Before swimming, you need to warm up a little. It is necessary to undress for swimming in a certain sequence: first remove outer clothing, then undress to a swimsuit, and shoes should be removed only before entering the water. On ice and snow, feet freeze very quickly. It is necessary to enter the ice water quickly, and stay in it from 20-30 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on the state of health and the habit of cold water. According to the canons, one must plunge into the water with his head three times and, emerging, be baptized.

Swimming in an ice hole is not a church prescription, but simply a tradition that is welcomed by the church. But since the holiday is a church one, the swimsuit and swimming trunks do not look very harmonious against the background of the cross in front of the font. In monasteries for bathing, long shirts are sewn, similar to baptismal ones. They are the same for men and women.

After leaving the water, you should quickly wipe yourself dry, put on dry, warm clothes and drink hot tea. It is strictly forbidden to combine swimming in the hole with drinking alcohol, and only after swimming you can drink a small glass to warm up.

In principle, there are no significant differences in bathing in the Baptism of women and men. It is only necessary to take into account that female body more fragile, the skin is softer.

To protect the skin, before bathing in the hole for Epiphany, it is recommended that women smear themselves with a fat cream, vegetable oil, best olive. This will make it easier to get used to cold water and protect the skin. You can not swim for pregnant women, and women on critical days.

Acute infectious and chronic diseases can be added to the list of previously listed diseases for women. female organs.

Bathing a girl in an ice hole at Epiphany is practically no different from bathing women. Girls should be more attentive to their body. After all, many of them swim “for company” with friends, husbands, solely out of the desire to take a spectacular photo in a beautiful swimsuit. Bathing in the Baptism of a girl with a weak immune system, prone to frequent colds, is undesirable. It can lead not only to a cold, but also to chronic inflammation of the female organs. Therefore, it is advisable to prepare for such an event in advance, gradually hardening by dousing with cool, and then cold water, swimming in autumn in already cooling reservoirs, gradually bringing the body to Epiphany bathing.

How to choose a place for swimming?

Every year the number of people taking part in the procession and baptismal bathing increases. Therefore, the number of places for swimming is also increasing. This is especially noticeable in large and rapidly developing cities. Usually, the media prints in advance a list of places where you can swim in Epiphany.

Bathing at Epiphany should be in specially designated places. As a rule, these are rivers and reservoirs, which are located near temples and monasteries, so that the procession to the Jordan would not be too long. Since the feast of Epiphany has been celebrated in our country for many centuries, these places are well known.

When Epiphany bathing became widespread, it was time to take care of arranging bathing places. After cutting a hole in the ice, a cross made of people or wood is installed next to it. The hole around the perimeter is laid with boards or wooden flooring, and a ladder is installed on one side to make it convenient to enter and exit the water. If the hole is large, then there may be several such stairs. Epiphany frosts in last years have become a rarity, but the water temperature is still close to zero. Therefore, next to the font, they increasingly began to install a heated tent, where you can change clothes, warm up, and also drink hot tea.

In places of mass bathing, an ambulance with doctors who can provide assistance if necessary should be on duty.

This is how it should ideally be. But given the scale of our country, far from all bathing places are equipped in this way. The presence of doctors in the provinces is generally exotic. Therefore, when choosing a place where to bathe in Epiphany, try to find a traditional place where many people come. They can always help. Insure, provide assistance if necessary.

Epiphany bathing in different regions of Russia

Epiphany bathing takes place throughout Russia from St. Petersburg to Vladivostok, from Sochi to Arkhangelsk. Every year the number of people who take part in them increases, and, accordingly, the number of equipped places. In St. Petersburg, several fonts are being equipped on the Neva. The main one is at the Peter and Paul Fortress, the rest are on Lieutenant Schmidt Embankment, Universitetskaya Embankment, as well as on the street, on Obukhovskaya Oborona Avenue. Fonts are being equipped in Kolpino, Krasnoye Selo, Sestroretsk, Peterhof and Pushkino.

The most massive Epiphany bathing takes place in the Volga cities - Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Uglich, Nizhny Novgorod, Tutaev and others. Here, the traditions of Orthodoxy were not lost in the most difficult times for the church. Churches and monasteries, as a rule, were built on the high banks of the Volga. Today many Orthodox churches and monasteries restored. Of these, on the night of January 18-19, a religious procession goes to the fonts on the Volga. After the consecration of the hole, Epiphany bathing begins, which lasts all night from January 18 to 19 and until the evening of January 19.

Moscow and the Moscow region do not lag behind the Volga cities, Epiphany bathing is organized here with the utmost responsibility, tents for changing clothes are set up near the ice hole, and employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and ambulance doctors monitor the process. We have prepared a review.

Return Orthodox traditions in the life of Russians is not just fashion. This is a return to the origins of spirituality.

Safety rules for Epiphany bathing

We hope our review was useful to you, and now you know why they bathe at Epiphany and how to prepare for bathing at Epiphany. If you have experience swimming in an ice hole, share it in the comments to the article.

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The first bathing in the hole at Epiphany arose as a tradition, after the adoption of Christianity in Kievan Rus in 988. January 19 religious holiday- The Baptism of the Lord, during Divine Liturgy a great consecration of water, which has healing power, takes place. It is generally accepted that all water elements on this day acquire miraculous features that strengthen bodily and spiritual strength.

What does bathing in the hole at Epiphany mean?

The hole in which they bathe is called Jordan, they come to it after the solemn Divine service, without the prayer of the priest it is not customary to plunge into the water. The priest blesses those who wish to perform the rite of bathing at Baptism - he reads a prayer in front of the wormwood and immerses the cross into it three times, only after the completion of the prayers can the ritual be performed. It is wrong to prescribe the property of purifying and washing away sins by tradition; in order to get rid of sins, one must repent and.

Where did bathing in the hole for Epiphany come from?

The feast to which the tradition adjoins is the most ancient - the Baptism of the Lord was introduced as a separate event in the church service around the year 377. Ancient Christians on this day came to the Jordan, the place where Jesus Christ was baptized. The rite of baptismal bathing - folk tradition, which a person commits at his own request, there are no church prescriptions on this issue. The water blessed on this day has special properties which has been proven by scientific research.

What gives bathing in the hole at Epiphany?

If we consider the question of what bathing at Baptism gives, it should be understood what a person expects to receive from such actions. Plunging into the water in Epiphany frosts is not so easy, even with a strong desire. The main thing - there must be faith that water has the ability to heal ailments, and the procedure will not cause harm, the desire to pray - to entrust your needs into the hands of God.

Bathing in frost helps to increase immunity - sudden changes in temperature activate the release of hormones into the blood, which have a protective effect on negative changes in the body, decreases arterial pressure comes a burst of energy. Marking yourself with a cross three times before diving into the hole is a prerequisite.


Epiphany bathing - pros and cons

The tradition of bathing at Epiphany is a test of a person's willpower. Doctors state the fact that the percentage of cases after such "procedures" is insignificant. According to the stories of those who have bathed, in the first few minutes a person is gripped by euphoria, the body becomes unusually light, grace is felt in the soul, a surge of special inexpressible sensations comes.

It is forbidden to risk poor health for unforgettable dives in the water. The Church does not oblige or prescribe such a ceremony for believers; it is not part of the holiday. Having skipped bathing, a person does not lose grace. On the day of the Baptism of the Lord, one must come to prayer at the church, one can confess and take communion, sprinkle oneself and one's house with sacred water brought from the temple.

When do they bathe in the hole at Epiphany?

January 18 - Epiphany Christmas Eve, it is generally accepted that after the consecration of water in churches on this day, it becomes healing in all water sources, and retains such properties for the next few days. Bathing itself at Epiphany does not begin without the blessings of the priest, the consecration of places for dipping takes place after the festive services on the morning of January 19.

How to prepare for bathing at Epiphany?

A few tips on how to prepare for the Epiphany bathing in the hole. For an unhardened person, such a dive is stressful, and the consequences of exposure to cold water can be minimized by preliminary hardening of the body. A few days before, it is advisable to take it, go outside or a balcony for a few minutes in a summer version of clothing - shorts and a T-shirt, do rubdowns with a damp towel soaked in cold water, practice dousing with low temperature water.

Epiphany bathing - rules

Bathing rules for Baptism can be divided into parts. First and most important point- performing such an act, a person should pray: for the salvation of the soul, for loved ones, to ask God's help for healing from ailments. It is wrong to plunge into the water for fun or under the influence of alcohol, to experience thrills, to expect healing of the body and soul as a result is unacceptable.

There are a lot of pluses for medical reasons, why bathing for baptism is useful - working capacity increases, allergic reactions, depression, insomnia, pain in the joints and spinal region disappear in the body. Significantly reduced attacks of bronchial asthma, normalizes blood circulation. The body temperature, when immersed, approaches the indicator with a mark of forty degrees, in a few minutes numerous armies of viruses and bacteria die in the body - the work of the immune system increases.

Is it possible to get sick when bathing at Epiphany? Yes, because stressful immersion in water can cause a number of unpleasant consequences in a weakened body. In diabetics, the level of sugar in the blood rises sharply, in the cores there are attacks of arrhythmia and hypertension, in cancer patients there is an undesirable suppression of immunity. Swimming is prohibited for people with flu and acute respiratory infections.

Is it dangerous to swim in the hole for Epiphany?

Discussions about the dangers of swimming in the hole at Epiphany are a serious issue. The organization of the venue is the main selection criterion for those who want to plunge. It is undesirable to come alone to unprepared ice holes, it is a direct threat to human health and life, in case of an unforeseen reaction of the body to cold water, there should be people ready to provide qualified assistance. Tips on how to properly swim in the hole for Epiphany:

  • undressing should be done in several stages - take off outerwear, let the body adapt, then undress to a swimsuit;
  • walk in the snow - give a signal to the body, through the receptors of the feet, turn on a protective reaction to the cold;
  • after being in the water, change clothes, you can’t put on dry things on top of wet ones;
  • drinking alcoholic beverages to warm up after the procedure is not recommended.

Having become a tradition over the centuries, swimming in the hole made in the pond during the ancient Christian holiday of Epiphany raises many questions among people of different confessions and non-believers. This is really a way of physical and spiritual purification of a person, or a beautiful tribute to fashion. What happens at the time of immersion in an ice font and who will benefit from such a procedure.

Traditions of the Feast of the Epiphany

Epiphany on January 19 and the very tradition of dipping into an ice font dates back to 988, since the introduction of Christianity in Kievan Rus. According to the biblical story, Jesus, at his personal request, was baptized on this very day. During the ceremony by John the Baptist, Jesus was in the waters of the Jordan River, the Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove and a voice from above, proclaiming him the son of God. This event became the basis of the holiday. The very word baptize in translation from ancient Greek means directly immersion in water. It is believed that God made holy water with his baptism, that is, it has special healing properties. Considering that water in the Old Testament is considered the basis of all life, the importance of this tradition becomes clear.

After the Divine Liturgy, water is blessed in all churches. At this time of the Blessing of Water, all water elements are also endowed with miraculous qualities. For the Epiphany bathing in the cruciform hole, crowded processions are made, in Christianity called procession to Jordan. It is believed that a body washed with holy water, like a purified soul that believes in the Savior, will receive health and blessings, and will join the sacrament of the Holy Trinity. In addition to the Christian overtones, the tradition of such bathing has been known since the time of the ancient Scythians and earlier pagan rites. In this way, they were initiated into warriors, healed, tempered newborns to adapt to the harsh climate.

Features of swimming in the hole

On the day of the Feast of the Epiphany, for accessibility to everyone, specially equipped in accordance with all safety rules, ice holes are specially arranged in the reservoirs in the form of a cross. After the consecration of the hole, people can draw water, wash themselves, and the most determined ones can take a dip. If the body is relatively adapted to cold, then great importance has a mood before bathing. The living structure of water is able to change under the influence of certain information, therefore, plunging into the hole, you need to tune in only to positive influence. Directly during immersion in the human body, many processes take place at lightning speed:

  • under short-term exposure to cold, the cerebral cortex and central nervous system are mobilized, which is positive for the body;
  • a stressful situation leads to a jump in immunity, pain relief, removal of inflammation, spasms, edema;
  • released under the influence of cold water internal forces, body temperature can reach 40 ° for a few seconds, causing the death of pathogenic microbes, viruses, cells;
  • the thermal conductivity of water is 28 times greater than air, which gives a huge hardening effect.

Considering the listed advantages of the procedure of dipping in cold water, we can confidently talk about its benefits. Despite the fact that the special physical training in principle, such bathing is not required, in some cases there may be a number of difficult moments. Without fear, official medicine recommends dipping to middle-aged men and women without complex pathologies. In any case, the sacrament of bathing at Baptism is a deeply individual decision for each person.

How to properly bathe in Epiphany

In addition to the appropriate mood, such bathing requires compliance certain rules helping to conduct the ceremony correctly and safely. The main point, especially in case of mass holding, is the presence of a specially equipped hole. The ice-hole should be arranged at a water depth of not more than 1.8 m, well fenced to avoid accidental falls, equipped with steps and handrails for descent. Everyone who wants to plunge into the hole should have a swimsuit or swimming trunks, a warm bathrobe, a towel, a set of dry clothes, underwear, slippers or woolen socks.

Before starting, it is recommended to warm up a little, for example, to go for a run, do squats or simple exercises. In this case, the body should not be sweaty, but only hot. To prevent a sharp narrowing of the vessels of the brain, it is not necessary to wet the head, but it is better to dip only on the neck. You can’t jump into the hole, you have to start diving from your feet. Swimming is not recommended, after 3 dipping it is better to immediately go out and not be in the water for more than 1 minute. Immediately after bathing, you need to rub yourself with a towel, put on dry linen and clothes without delay. Often a towel may not even come in handy, as the skin dries out instantly. But following church rules, when swimming in the Epiphany hole, you must plunge headlong three times. At the same time, there should be a short sincere prayer addressed to God, according to the Orthodox, this charges the water with tremendous power.

Bathing contraindications

It is strictly forbidden to use immediately before bathing and after it. alcoholic drinks. Alcohol in the blood has a bad effect on the state of thermoregulation of the body, sometimes with unforeseen consequences. Under its influence, the vessels dilate, increasing the flow of heat. Some time after use, a person may feel a surge of heat, but then, the opposite effect occurs abruptly and you can seriously catch a cold. Also, you can not smoke, as blood circulation is disturbed. Immediately after dipping, it is better to drink herbal decoction or hot tea. Swimming in a cold hole on a full or empty stomach is harmful.

With the obvious benefits of Epiphany bathing, the category of contraindications includes the presence of chronic or acute diseases. These include disorders of the cardiovascular, endocrine and nervous systems, as well as all kinds of inflammation of the genitourinary system, nasopharynx, otitis media. It is not recommended to plunge into the ice hole if you have suffered injuries of encephalitis, epilepsy and other complex pathologies. To avoid harm and get only benefit, it is recommended to consult a doctor.