Orsha residents celebrate the Baptism of the Lord

On January 19, Orthodox believers celebrate one of the great holidays – the Baptism of the Lord. Traditionally, many greet it by plunging into the ice hole.

 This year, three locations have been prepared in the Orsha district for this purpose: the Dnieper River at the OSVOD rescue station on Vladimir Korotkevich Street, the Shchetinka quarry, and the spring of St. Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon in the village of Lyutyny.

A journalist from the "Orsha Newspaper" visited the main bathing site on the Dnieper River. The process is clearly organized: lifeguards from OSVOD, employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and police officers are on the shore, as well as an ambulance crew. Volunteers from the Youth Council under the Orsha District Council of Deputies warm up everyone who wishes with hot tea and treat them to cookies.

Among the brave ones who decided to take an icy plunge is Orsha resident Sergey Sekretaryov. For him, this is already a long-standing tradition. Despite it being a workday, he took a plunge during his lunch break.

– For me, Baptism is not just a date on the calendar, but an important spiritual milestone. To plunge into the ice hole is like washing away all the bad that has accumulated over the year, symbolically renewing oneself. Yes, the water is icy, a momentary shock for the body. But after this comes an incredible lightness, a surge of strength, and some special clarity in the head. It is a test of oneself and one’s spirit, – shared Sergey. 

Specialists remind that one should approach bathing in icy water responsibly. Here are the main rules: 

do not stay in the water for more than one minute;
do not bathe while under the influence of alcohol;
after exiting, immediately rub yourself with a towel and put on dry warm clothes;
children can only immerse themselves in the water under strict parental supervision.

Photo by Vadim KRAVCHENKO.
Source orshanka