Every tenth Russian to participate in Epiphany bathing

 

Moscow, January 19, - Number of Russians who celebrate Epiphany on January 19 almost does not change in recent years: 41% this year against 42% in 2014 and 43% in 2013, the Levada Center reports.

About 10% of people participating in the poll held on December 19-22 among 1600 residents in 134 Russian cities, town and villages, tell about their plans to bathe in Epiphany ice-holes.

 

Most often this desire was expressed by businessmen (40%), unemployed (22%), pupils and students (14%), mostly men (16%), Russians under 25 years old (17%) and aged between 40-55 (13%), with special professional education (13%) and high consumer status (11%), residents of cities with population 100-500 thousand people.

On the day of the feast, 38% of respondents are going to take blessed water from churches and 23% will share a festival meal with relatives and friends.

Russian Orthodox Christians celebrate Epiphany on January 19. Epiphany bathing is not compulsory, but is practiced as a pious tradition.