Hundreds of Russian Orthodox Christians plunge into freezing water to.....

mail online ^ | John Hall

[Morgana]

FULL TITLE: Fancy an (icy) dip? Hundreds of Russian Orthodox Christians plunge into freezing water to 'purify their souls' as temperatures drop to -17C

Hundreds of Russian Orthodox Christians have plunged into icy water around Eastern Europe to mark the feast of Epiphany.

In temperatures as low as -17C, the believers wore little more than basic swimming costumes as they leapt into lakes and plunge pools to confirm their willingness to follow Jesus, who is said to have been baptised in the River Jordon.

With snow piled high around the water, it’s no wonder many of the Christians grimace as they each plunge beneath the water three times in an effort to purify their souls.

[Morgana]

Can you spell "pneumonia" in Russian?

[CorporateStepsister]

Now this is religious devotion.

[KarlInOhio]

as they leapt into lakes and plunge pools to confirm their willingness to follow Jesus, who is said to have been baptised in the River Jordon.

The last time the Jordan was 1°F mammoths ruled the area rather than Jews.

[Viennacon]

It’s good news. One of the criticism of the Russian Orthodox’ revival in the country, has been that the followers are ‘cultural Christians’ simply declaring Orthodoxy because they associate it with the nation they love, but this shows a lot of this revival (perhaps a growing amount if you take into account the new churches being built) is in people who are genuinely accepting Jesus as their personal savior.

[M-cubed]

Now this is religious devotion. <<

Yup...but if they all live...some would call it what?.. a miracle?...lol..do you know nobody died..they been doing it for years!

[Mount Athos]

I just went to a Russian Orthodox church vigil tonight.
One of the priests painted a cross on our foreheads with oil.
Lot of singing, some read prayers. No pews so you mostly stand.

I’m glad they didn’t make me jump into freezing water.

[Bigg Red]

...people who are genuinely accepting Jesus as their personal savior.

***
I hope you are right, but I was very disappointed last year when I first saw a piece on this practice. There were a lot of scantily clad young women, and the event, as described in the piece, seemed devoid of a religious inclination.