International students of South Ural State University from Sri Lanka and Ethiopia took part in the traditional Russian Orthodox ceremony of Epiphany dip, which is held on January 19th.
The first to dip in a Epiphany ice hole was the young man from Sri Lanka Tharindu Devinda Mendis, who is studying at the SUSU Institute of Architecture and Construction. For this student, participation in this ceremony has already become a tradition as this was the 5th time that he dipped in the holy water during the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus. According to the young man, he had not undertaken any special preparations before plunging in the ice water in the previous years; however, this time, already one month before the ceremony, he began taking cold showers, making himself fit.
"Despite the fact that it's 25 degrees below zero today, the water is very warm. I thought it would be difficult, but I wasn't cold and I liked it very much. The coldest weather from all the times that I have done the Epiphany dip was –26°С, and last year it was just –8°С. It's much colder today, but I don't feel it for some reason. I love winter, and this is a great chance to learn what the real Urals winter is like," shared student of the SUSU Institute of Architecture and Construction Tharindu Devinda Mendis.
A postgraduate of the SUSU Institute of Linguistics and International Communications Haile Bizualem Desta from Ethiopia was next to plunge in the ice water. For her it was the first experience of celebrating the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus.
"My emotions are quite positive, but I felt really scared to do the dip for the first time. Next year I would also like to take part in this ceremony. In our country we celebrate this holiday too, it starts in the morning of January 20th, but it's not in cold water that we do the dip," shared her impressions postgraduate of the SUSU Institute of Linguistics and International Communications Haile Bizualem Desta.
Among the participants was also Sofya Shevchenko, a student of the Department of Journalism, Advertising and Public Relations of the Institute of Media, Social Sciences and Humanities. As part of hear studies, she was preparing a news item for the SUSU-TV Television and Radio Company. Despite the fact that it was the first experience of plunging into ice water during a Epiphany dip for her, Sofya felt elated. Soon you will be able to watch the video at the official RUTUBE channel of SUSU-TV Television and Radio Company.
Baptism of Jesus is one of the major Christian holidays. It celebrates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by John the Baptist. On this day, many pious people traditionally take part in the ceremony of plunging in an ice hole, what symbolizes the spiritual purification and renewal.