“A large part of Russia will be warm for these Epiphany celebrations. The average temperature significantly exceeds the norm,” he said. “We are already seeing a thaw in St. Petersburg.

Men exit a pond after plunging themselves in icy waters to celebrate the Orthodox Epiphany at the Izmailovsky Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.

Men exit a pond after plunging themselves in icy waters to celebrate the Orthodox Epiphany at the Izmailovsky Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.

People plunge in icy water to celebrate the Orthodox Epiphany near the St. Serafimovsky Monastery on Russian Island in Russian far east port Vladivostok, Russia, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025.

Across Russia, the devout and the daring celebrate Epiphany on Jan. 19 by immersing themselves in frigid water through holes cut through the ice of lakes and rivers, imitating the baptism of Jesus ...