You're reading: Washing sins away on Epiphany

One of Ukraine’s most important religious holidays, Epiphany, was celebrated on Jan. 19 with traditional ice-water swimming.

Some 150 Christian Orthodox believers opted for a quieter celebration in the village of Buzova some 30 kilometers from the capital on the grounds of the folk museum “Ukrainian Village.”

A church service was held first.

Then believers gathered around a cross cut out of ice splashed with reddish beetroot juice, symbolizing the blood of Jesus, who was said to be baptized on this day. The faithful came with bottles of water to be blessed by Father Bohdan Tymoshenko.

The water is believed to have healing powers. Some 50 followers braved the cold in the belief it would wash their sins away.

Encouraging people to take the icy bath, Father Bohdan announced free shots of vodka and a bite to eat for everyone who comes out of the water with a wet head of hair.

Read also Believers cleanse souls at Epiphany

Photos by Joseph Sywenkyj