WATCH: Putin takes public dip in icy Russian lake on Epiphany

Published Jan 19, 2018

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Moscow — Russian President Vladimir Putin has taken a dip in icy lake waters to celebrate Epiphany, a major holiday in Orthodox Christianity marking the baptism of Jesus.

Russian television stations have shown the 65-year-old Putin approaching a hole cut in the ice on Lake Seliger in northwestern Russia and then dunking himself in and crossing himself.

Putin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said the president had dipped in icy waters on the Epiphany before, but Friday marked the first time he publicly did so.

President #Putin joins the nation in celebrating the #Epiphany, braves the icy waters of the frozen Lake Seliger pic.twitter.com/2waCXxKPuK

— Russia in RSA 🇷🇺 (@EmbassyofRussia) January 19, 2018

In Orthodox tradition, water blessed by a priest during Epiphany week is considered holy and pure, and believers attribute healing powers to it.

Authorities set up bathing sites for believers all over Russia, including some areas in Siberia where temperatures dipped below -30 C (-22 F).

Associated Press

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