Russians dip into ice-cold water for Epiphany

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With the temperatures around minus 20 Celsius (minus 4 Farenheit) participants plunged into the ice-cold lake which was lightened with colorful lights and covered with mist.

The age-old ritual commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River, or the Epiphany, which the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates on January 19, in the middle of the Russian winter.

Worshippers believe their sins are symbolically washed away through the ritual and one participant, Alexander, said he felt "reborn" afterwards.