Epiphany Bathing is russian tradition. Russian people believe that cold bathing on Epiphany gives strength, wealth and joy.Tens of thousands of people across Russia bathed in icy cold water on Epiphany on Tuesday as air temperatures across the country was really cold.In Moscow the air tempirature was minus 20. Epiphany, also known as Theophany, is one of the Great Feasts, marking the baptism of Jesus Christ by John the Baptist in the Jordan River and the beginning of his ministry, and the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates it on January 19 in line with the Julian calendar. On this day, while honoring an old Russian tradition, believers dive into ice holes, usually made in the form of a cross, in lakes, rivers and other water bodies.