Russian Epiphany in Kirkenes
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Father Sergij from Polyarny preparing for the ritual. -
Father Daniil from the Monastery of Pechenga led the ceremony. -
The ceremony of the Blessing of the Water. -
Normally the whole ceremony is conducted outdoors by the water, but because of bad weather conditions most of the rituals were done indoors this time. -
Songs, prayers and reading of the Bible are important parts of the ritual. -
Father Daniil reading from the Bible. -
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The water is blessed through prayers and putting a cross into the water. -
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The priest sprinkles holy water upon everybody taking part in the ceremony. -
The holy water is considered to have protective and healing powers. Believers traditionally stock up on the blessed water for a whole year, since it is known to remain fresh all that time. -
The tradition symbolizes Jesus Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River. The whole in the ice is therefore called a "Jordan". -
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Celebrators plunge into the water - typically three times, in honor of the Holy Trinity. -
The ritual of submergence, believed to be at least five centuries old, is meant to symbolize a cleansing of sins from the previous year and a rebirth in preparation for the upcoming one. -
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