Feature: Orthodox Christians in Ukraine dive in ice-cold water to celebrate Epiphany

"I absolutely do not feel cold, but rather on the contrary -- the warmness is covering my body and there is a feeling of lightness and euphoria," Ivan Kochubey, a 26-year-old office worker, told Xinhua after plunging into the ice-cold water of the Dnieper River to take part in the traditional Orthodox Epiphany celebrations in Kiev.

Kochubey is one of about 3,000 enthusiasts, ranging from teenagers to pensioners, who gathered on the Obolonska embankment in the Ukrainian capital for the Epiphany swim, which is believed to wash off all their sins and diseases.

"The Epiphany diving for me is not only a spiritual ritual, but also a contribution to my health. I started to practice cold water hardening three years ago, because I was very sickly, and now my body has become stronger," Kochubey said.

People in Ukraine tend to believe that the water, which is purified by special religious rituals on the Epiphany day, obtains curative properties and could be used for treatment of various illnesses.

However, the anticipated curative effect is not the main goal for the majority of the Epiphany swimmers. Most people, who dared to plunge into the icy water despite sub-zero temperatures and strong wind, are the devoted believers, who are commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River.

Valentyna Petrovna, a 47-year-old librarian, made the holy jump into a cross-shaped hole cut in the ice with a belief that such ritual will bring her closer to spiritual growth.

"I go through the purification ritual in the holy water every year to feel the grace of God. The Epiphany is a great spiritual feast that gives people a chance to clean up not only their bodies, but also their souls," she said.

Wrapping in the wool blanket on top of a winter jacket to stop her body from trembling, Petrovna said that she is not concerned that the cold swimming may harm her health.

"I take ice water baths on the Epiphany for more than 10 years, and no matter how cold the weather is, I have never got sick because the water on this day is sacred and can not cause harm," she said.

Although the majority of cold water swimmers insist that it is impossible to get sick by bathing in open-air reservoirs on the Epiphany day, some people do not share their opinion after having bad experience.

Sergey, a bank employee, who came to the Dnieper River to support his friends, said that he decided not to dive this year, because in 2015 he has caught severe cold after jumping into the ice-cold water.

"Last year, I plunged to amaze my son, and after that I had a severe fever for three days. So, this year, I decided to just wash my hands and face with holy water in the church," Sergey said.

Medical doctors are also divided about the health effects of the cold-water swimming. While some of them believe that it could activate the immune system of the swimmers, others suggest that it may cause cold-related diseases as well as heart and vessel disorders. Endit