Metropolitan Hilarion of Volokolamsk, head of the Department for External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, on January 15 urged the faithful to approach traditional Epiphany bathing this year with “maximum caution”.
He noted that any mass events are undesirable due to the difficult epidemiological situation.
“When people ask me now whether it is necessary and worth it to dive, I call for maximum caution. Any mass gatherings of people are now undesirable. If they can be avoided, it is better to avoid them,” the metropolitan said on the air of the Russia 24 TV channel.
In addition, he recalled a possible wave of exacerbation of the COVID-19 disease and urged believers to get vaccinated.
The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates the Epiphany on January 19. On the night of Epiphany, many believers, according to tradition, plunge into the hole.
On January 11, it became known that in Orenburg they decided not to equip fonts for Epiphany in 2022. The same situation was the year before.
The reason for the refusal of mass bathing is a difficult epidemiological situation. Despite the fact that there are fewer cases of coronavirus, there are many patients with influenza and SARS in the region.
Source: IZ
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
