In the mid-2000s, January 19 marked Epiphany - Vodokhreshcha, the feast of the Baptism of Christ. Ukrainian and Russian Orthodox churches held long services in the morning, and after the service priests blessed the water. Many believed that blessed water could stand in a bottle until the next Christmas and never spoil. Besides well-known churches such as Kyiv Pechersk Lavra and St. Volodymyr's Cathedral, on Epiphany it was also worth visiting the lesser-known Chapel of the Baptism of the Lord near Hydropark metro station. After the service many believers swam in the cold water of the Dnipro; those who wished could join in. Since this day of the year was thought to be the coldest, lakes and rivers usually froze over. But that did not stop true believers! In the morning before the service, volunteers cut a hole in the ice, usually in the shape of a cross, for people to immerse themselves. This ice hole has a special name - “Jordan” - because Christ was baptised in the Jordan River. A priest blessed the water, and the participants of the rite swam in the icy water. Amazingly, people hardly ever got sick after such a chilling dip. It was believed that swimming in the river on this particularly holy day could heal many illnesses.
