Priestly blessing of the water and parishioners’ immersion (kupan’nje – купаньне; also called Jardan’ (Jordan) – Іардань) on the January 19 Orthodox feast of the Baptism of the Lord/Theophany (Vadokhryshcha). River Moustva, Tsjerablichy 2018.
The custom of purification by total immersion in icy mid-winter water is pre-Christian, and is not recognized by the Orthodox church in Belarus as an official part of the feast of the Theophany/Baptism of the Lord. However, given (1) the custom’s popularity; (2) the practice of cutting a cross-shaped hole in the ice; and (3) people’s treating the celebration as part of their profession of Christianity, local priests will assent to bless the proceedings. Here, the priests from neighboring Azdamichy and Ramjel’ join Tsjerablichy’s Father Vital’ in blessing the water before parishioners immerse themselves three times, crossing themselves each time they emerge. See also photos of the day for March 17, 2018 and February 25-March 4, 2013.
Асьвячэньне вады ды купаньне (Іардань) на Вадохрышча. Рака Моўства, Цераблічы 2018 г.
Гл. таксама фотаздымкі дня 17 сакавіка 2018 г. ды 25 лютага-4 сакавіка 2013 г.
