Epiphany Bathing 2014 in Atyrau

Zeena Urynbassarova

On the eve of the holiday, the local priest, believers and those who just follow healthy life-style  headed to frozen Ural River where a hole was made. The priest blessed water. After this the water is considered to be holy and people can take it home in jars and bottles. It is believed that this water gives health and possesses healing properties.

Honoring an old Russian tradition people plunged into the water three times, in honor of the Holy Trinity.

Doctors recommend that undressing, dressing and bathing should take no more than five to seven minutes altogether.

The ritual of submergence, believed to be at least five centuries old. The act is meant to symbolize a cleansing of sins from the previous year and a rebirth in preparation for the upcoming one.

Photos by Kanat Eleuov