How correctly to bathe on Epiphany?

For believers, bathing on Epiphany meansadmission to the special grace of the Lord, which he sends to all the water on this day. Water for baptism brings health, both physical and spiritual. In a sense, such bathing can be considered a certain sacrifice, because it is very difficult to plunge into icy water during the frost. A man sacrifices his comfort for the sake of the grace of the Lord. But at the same time, the church warns against giving this tradition any magical meaning.

How to bathe properly at Epiphany - rules

The ice-holes in which they bathe at Epiphany,are consecrated. Tough rules do not exist. But still, it is customary to quickly dip into the water 3 times, while being baptized and saying: "In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit." Pray for yourself and your family. Traditionally it is believed that in Baptism you should swim in shirts, and not in bathing suits, so as not to flaunt your body.

How to bathe properly at Epiphany, so as not to get sick

As you know, Baptism is bathed in both old and young. But without special preparation to swim children and the elderly can be dangerous. Let's talk about precautions, which must be taken seriously in this holiday of the Epiphany. Doctors warn that bathing in icy water can lead to negative consequences.

Ways of tempering are different. If we talk about winter swimming in the hole, it is the highest way, because it leads to maximum stress all the mechanisms of human thermoregulation. Such bathing leads to quite large changes in all body systems.

Doctors warn against bathing on people's baptismwith hypertension, rheumatism, atherosclerosis or tuberculosis. Bathe on Baptism is unacceptable and with other acute chronic diseases. Well, if you are healthy, then follow the following recommendations how to bathe properly at Epiphany:

1. You can swim only in the ice-hole, where a special entrance to the water is equipped. Choose a familiar place.
2. Never go bathing on Epiphany alone. The person accompanying you should always be there to help in an unpredictable situation.
3. Take a blanket or an ordinary newspaper with you to bed under your feet when you change clothes.
4. If you swim in the winter for the first time, after one diving you should immediately leave the water. So you will gradually prepare the body.
5. Take care that the clothes you wear are comfortable to wear on damp skin (not very strong, with a small amount of fasteners).
6. Before bathing, alcohol and cigarettes are prohibited! On an empty stomach or immediately after eating, you can not swim either.