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 the Procession to the 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 the cold, then the mood before bathing is of great importance. 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 a 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;
- under the influence of cold water, internal forces are released, the 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 in principle, special physical preparation for such a bath 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 with certain rules that help 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 jog, 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 drink alcoholic beverages immediately before bathing and after it. 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.
Archpriest Sergiy Vogulkin, rector of the temple in the name of the icon of the Mother of God "The Tsaritsa" of the city of Yekaterinburg, doctor of medical sciences, professor, answers:
Probably, one should start not with bathing in Epiphany frosts, but with the most fertile feast of the Epiphany. The baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ sanctifies all water, in all its forms, because for two thousand years the water of the Jordan River, which touched the blessed body of Christ, rose millions of times to heaven, floated in the clouds and returned again as raindrops to the earth. What is it - in trees, in lakes, rivers, grasses? Pieces of her are everywhere. And now the feast of the Epiphany is approaching, when the Lord gives us an abundance of blessed water. Anxiety awakens in every person: what about me? After all, this is my chance to be cleansed! Wouldn't miss it! And now people without hesitation, even with some kind of despair, rush to the hole and, having plunged, then for a whole year they talk about their “feat”. Did they partake of the grace of our Lord, or amuse their pride?
An Orthodox person goes quietly from one church holiday to another, observing fasts, confessing and taking communion. And he is preparing for the Epiphany slowly, deciding with his family who, after confession and communion, according to the old Russian tradition, will be worthy to plunge into the Jordan, and who, due to childhood or indisposition, will wash his face with holy water, or pour himself on a holy spring, or simply accept holy water with prayer like spiritual medicine. We, thank God, have plenty to choose from, and we do not need to risk thoughtlessly if a person is weakened by an illness. The Jordan is not the Sheep's Pool (see John 5:1-4) and must be approached with caution. An experienced priest will not bless everyone for swimming. He will take care of choosing a place, strengthening the ice, gangways, a warm place for undressing and dressing, and the presence of one of the Orthodox medical workers. Here, mass baptism will be appropriate and grace-filled.
Another thing is the mass of desperate people who decided, without a blessing and just an elementary thought, to swim "for the company" in ice water. Here we are talking not about the strength of the spirit, but about the strength of the body. The strongest spasm of the skin vessels in response to the action of cold water leads to the fact that a mass of blood rushes to the internal organs - the heart, lungs, brain, stomach, liver, and for people with poor health this can end badly.
The danger especially increases for those who were preparing for the "cleansing" in the hole with smoking and alcohol. The flow of blood to the lungs will only increase the chronic inflammation of the bronchi, which always accompanies smoking, can cause swelling of the bronchial wall and pneumonia. Prolonged intake of alcohol or acute intoxication and in warm water constantly lead to misfortunes, to say nothing of swimming in the hole. The arterial vessels of an alcoholic or a domestic drunkard, even if he is relatively young, are not able to respond correctly to massive cold exposure, in these cases one can expect paradoxical reactions up to cardiac and respiratory arrest. With such bad habits and in such a state, it is better not to approach the hole.
Hardening or, in other words, winter swimming is an effective method that improves the health and energy of the whole organism. According to experts, hardening brings a lot of benefits to a person. In general, any water procedures are very useful for the body, especially swimming. At the same time, tension in the back is relieved, and all parts of the body come into motion.
Since ancient times, scientists have proven the positive effect of cold on the human body. However, according to doctors, it is necessary to gradually prepare the body for swimming in the hole. It is advisable to start training in the summer. Effective preparation for swimming in the hole is rinsing with cold water in the morning, gradually lowering the temperature of the water. It is necessary to allow the body to slowly get used to the decrease in temperature and prepare it for winter swimming.
For rubbing use pieces fabrics from natural materials (linen, cotton) or sponges(natural or rubber). Wiping begins with the legs, then rub hands, chest, stomach, back in a circular motion. After three to four weeks of daily rubdowns, you can move on to dousing or a contrast shower.
Pouring you need to start from the lower parts of the body, gradually rising up. Legs and hands must be warmed up before the procedure (for example, rubbed). It is not recommended to douse if a person feels cold. This can harm the blood vessels. Douche can be replaced with a contrast shower.
Cold and hot shower, as a result of a controlled temperature difference, activates all systems of the human body. This procedure strengthens the immune system, enhances blood circulation, cleanses the body of toxins and improves metabolism.
If you have already prepared yourself and want to plunge into the hole, you can do it on Epiphany, January 19th. Winter swimming in the hole is associated with this particular church holiday. Once a year, most of the people in the country become walruses for one day. Who with joy and delight, and who with fear and shudder plunge into the icy water. According to Holy Scripture, two millennia ago on this day, Jesus Christ was baptized in the waters of the Jordan River. It is believed that it is on Baptism that people, plunging into the water, wash away all sins from themselves.
The question arises: what effect does swimming in the hole have on the body? There is no consensus on this issue. Some experts believe that winter swimming has a positive effect on the body. Others warn of possible health hazards. Undoubtedly, winter swimming has both benefits and harms.
The benefits of ice swimming:
The immune system is strengthened, the body is better able to resist viral and colds;
Improves blood circulation;
There is pain in the joints, muscles and ligaments; it is possible to get rid of rheumatism;
The condition of patients with asthma is facilitated;
The skin becomes smoother and firmer.
Behind 1-2 minutes stay in the hole a person not only does not experience cold, but also feels internal heat (of course, because all body systems are aimed at generating energy!). Great the immune system is trained, thermoregulation, the body is preparing for stress. However, if the winter swimming procedure is delayed, then after 5-10 minutes the body will deplete thermal resources, and dangerous hypothermia will set in.
As a rule, in walruses, when they plunge into the hole, they begin to produce endorphins are hormones of happiness. As a result, a person who plunged into an ice hole for the first time does it all the time later. According to experienced walruses, as a result of swimming in the hole, they got rid of a number of chronic diseases.
Ice bathing contraindications
If a person has diseases such as tuberculosis, kidney disease, cardiovascular diseases, allergies to cold, damage to the cerebral and coronary vessels, pulmonary insufficiency, inflammatory processes, then experts strongly do not recommend diving into ice water. Doctors strictly forbid dipping into the hole after drinking alcohol. Also, you can not do this with various colds. Pediatricians do not recommend dipping children in ice water. For a growing organism, this is a strong hormonal stress.
Rules for swimming in the hole
But all of the above advantages can only be obtained if you correctly approach winter swimming:
Before you plunge into the hole, you need to prepare: warm up the body with light gymnastics, walking;
You can not plunge with your head;
The duration of swimming is 1-5 minutes. Beginners in the water can be no more than 15 seconds;
After swimming in the hole, you must immediately dry the body and dress warmly.
According to experienced walruses, the main principle of such hardening is gradual, regular and systematic. For those who are contraindicated in this method of hardening, wiping with cool water, dousing and a contrast shower can be used. These methods, unlike winter swimming, are absolutely safe. They will only benefit the body.
Happy hardening and good health!
The first bathing in the hole at Epiphany emerged as a tradition after the adoption of Christianity in Kievan Rus in 988. January 19 is a church holiday - the Baptism of the Lord, during the Divine Liturgy, a great consecration of water, which has healing power, is performed. 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 is a folk tradition that a person performs at his own request; there are no church prescriptions on this issue. The water consecrated 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 that have a protective effect on negative changes in the body's work, blood pressure decreases, and a surge of energy comes. 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 indescribable 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. The first and most important point is that when 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.
Every year, many people decide to try themselves as "walruses" at least for a day, and descend into the ice hole. They do it on January 19 - at the Epiphany of the Lord. It is believed that water has healing power, if you swim in it even in severe frost, you will not get sick, but, on the contrary, you will stock up on health for the whole year. Many years ago, Jesus Christ was baptized in the rivers of the Jordan, and since that time, winter swimming traditions have been observed. How does bathing affect health? Can it harm?
Expert opinion
To date, there is no consensus about winter swimming. Some say that it has a positive effect on the body, others talk about its danger. To decide for yourself whether or not a procedure is needed, you need to weigh the pros and cons, this is the only way you can make the right decision.
The only thing we can agree with the experts is that you need to plunge into the hole with an absolutely healthy person. Doubt? Not sure about your health? It is better to find a safer way to bathe at Epiphany - take a cool shower, pour holy water in the bath.
The benefits of baptismal bathing
Hardening is a very useful procedure, but it should not be once a year, but regular. It is important to accustom the body to various stresses so that it does not react to them with diseases. According to statistics, walruses rarely get colds, flu, SARS compared to hothouse people.
When a person bathes in winter, he does not feel cold, on the contrary, everything starts to burn inside. It is easy to explain this: when the skin capillaries narrow, blood begins to flow to the brain, heart. When cold water affects the body, it fights for survival, thus increasing the state of the immune system, and all diseases disappear. Some "walruses" say that with the help they managed to cure various chronic diseases.
After a person plunges into an ice-hole, his mood immediately improves, he is charged with optimism, becomes cheerful. In addition, various pains disappear. Everything can be explained by the fact that the adrenal glands produce the hormone of joy - endorphins. Therefore, people who decide to bathe must repeat it. They just love doing it.
How can winter swimming harm?
It is important to understand that hardening should be a gradual, regular procedure. But a one-time action of cold temperature is significantly harmful to health. If a person is not prepared, he can become seriously ill.
Professional walruses also suffer. Due to the fact that during the winter bathing, the production of the hormone of joy occurs. When a person gets used to these sensations, he sits down on them. If you can’t plunge into frosty weather, serious psychological problems appear - apathy, sadness,.
In addition, when the body is constantly struggling with stress, everything ends up with malfunctions in the hormonal system. And with age, bathing in Epiphany frosts can be generally contraindicated for a person.
It has been scientifically proven that after such a bath, a man can remain infertile. The body is under severe stress, in men the number of spermatozoa is reduced. Sharp temperature fluctuations adversely affect the condition of male organs. Urologists warn that male winter swimming leads to. Here it is necessary to take into account that the prostate is a fragile, delicate, brittle organ, it is very afraid of various hypothermia. In some situations, everything can end even with impotence.
Problems also arise in women: inflammation of the appendages, ovaries, obstruction of the tubes. If these ailments are not treated in a timely manner, a woman can become infertile.
Contraindications
- Diseases of the heart, blood vessels. Due to a sharp temperature drop, a spasm occurs in the vessels, the heart is heavily loaded. In some situations, the heart can not stand it and stops.
- Tendency to convulsive state, epilepsy. An ice hole can lead to an attack, convulsions.
- Inflammatory process in the kidneys, lungs, kidneys.
- Allergic reaction to cold.
- Infections.
- Alcohol intoxication. It is very important to understand that when a person drinks a warming drink, vasodilation occurs, but cold water, on the contrary, leads to vasoconstriction. Due to sudden drops, the heart is heavily loaded.
Despite the opinions of others, you still decided to swim in the hole for Epiphany, then be sure to follow these rules:
- Before dipping, it is necessary to warm up the body - run, actively move your arms and legs.
- Cool down gradually: first, outer clothing is removed, after a few minutes, shoes, then you need to undress to the waist and wet your feet, then completely undress and plunge into the ice hole.
- It is allowed to stay in the water for no more than a minute, otherwise instead of cheerfulness, hardening, everything will end.
- After you get out of the water, you need to rub yourself well with a warm towel, get dressed, get into a car or go into a warm room to drink tea.
Unpleasant life situations
- In Kaliningrad, a 56-year-old woman died during Epiphany bathing. She plunged, went ashore, began to dress, and she suddenly became ill, lost consciousness. Unfortunately, the ambulance could not save, the woman died of cardiac arrest.
- A 47-year-old woman almost died in Moscow. She became ill, she was taken to the hospital, it turned out to be a stroke.
- In St. Petersburg, after swimming, a young man fell ill. He was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia. The man had about a month to recover.
So, swimming in an ice hole is a rather dangerous activity if you have never tried to do it, have not prepared your body. Do you want to be healed on the Epiphany holiday? Try to perform the procedures in advance, harden yourself, give up bad habits, only then there will be a result.
