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How many Russians intend to take the icy Epiphany plunge?

About 20% of Russians are planning to plunge into ice holes on Epiphany, while another one-third will attend church services, according to a survey

MOSCOW, January 18. /TASS/. About 20% of Russians are planning to plunge into ice holes on Epiphany, while another one-third will attend church services, according to a survey carried out by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center.

"Russians are getting increasingly fond of ice-water dips, as 20% of those surveyed (a 15% growth since 2018) stated they would go for an Epiphany dip. Men (29%), young people aged 18 to 24 (36%) and village residents (25%) take the lead among those who intend to do so, whereas women (12%) and respondents aged over 60 (6%) are less enthusiastic about it," says the report.

According to the survey, 63% of respondents annually take part in the Epiphany dip. That said, one in five would participate out of religious motives. Another 14% state that it was good for one’s health. The main arguments against the bathing rituals (79% of respondents do not plan to do it) are health-related fears (31%).

"Those surveyed spoke more often of their plans to wish their relatives well on the holiday of Epiphany (83%), go to church to take holy water (52%) and gather with their family around a holiday table (45%). One in three (32%) respondents plan to attend religious services," the Russian Public Opinion Research Center reported.

The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Epiphany on January 19. According to the Gospel, during Christ’s baptism in the Jordan River, God was revealed in His three hypostases: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. According to ancient tradition, the great blessing of the waters is carried out twice in churches: on the eve of Epiphany, on January 18, and on the holiday itself, on January 19.

The state-run pollster carried out the poll on January 16, 2018, among 1,600 respondents. The margin of error is no more than 2.5% with a 95% probability.