When and where can you swim for baptism. Harm from baptismal bathing. How to bathe on Epiphany so as not to get sick

Having become a tradition over the centuries, swimming in the hole made in the pond during the ancient Christian holiday of Epiphany raises many questions among people of different confessions and non-believers. This is really a way of physical and spiritual purification of a person, or a beautiful tribute to fashion. What happens when you dive into ice font and who would benefit from such a procedure.

Traditions of the Feast of the Epiphany

Baptism on January 19 and the very tradition of dipping into an ice font dates back to 988, since the introduction of Kievan Rus Christianity. According to biblical history, Jesus, at his personal request, was baptized on this very day. During the ceremony by John the Baptist, Jesus was in the waters of the Jordan River, the Holy Spirit descended on him in the form of a dove and a voice from above, proclaiming him the son of God. This event became the basis of the holiday. The very word baptize in translation from ancient Greek means directly immersion in water. It is believed that God made holy water with his baptism, that is, it has special healing properties. Considering that water in the Old Testament is considered the basis of all life, the importance of this tradition becomes clear.

After the Divine Liturgy, water is blessed in all churches. At this time of the Blessing of Water, all water elements are also endowed with miraculous qualities. For the Epiphany bathing in the cruciform hole, crowded processions are made, in Christianity called the Procession to the Jordan. It is believed that a body washed with holy water, like a purified soul that believes in the Savior, will receive health and blessings, and will join the sacrament of the Holy Trinity. In addition to the Christian overtones, the tradition of such bathing has been known since the time of the ancient Scythians and earlier pagan rites. In this way, they were initiated into warriors, healed, tempered newborns to adapt to the harsh climate.

Features of swimming in the hole

On the day of the Feast of the Epiphany, for accessibility to everyone, specially equipped in accordance with all safety rules, ice holes are specially arranged in the reservoirs in the form of a cross. After the consecration of the hole, people can draw water, wash themselves, and the most determined ones can take a dip. If the body is relatively adapted to cold, then great importance has a mood before bathing. The living structure of water is able to change under the influence of certain information, therefore, plunging into the hole, you need to tune in only to a positive influence. Directly during immersion in the human body, many processes take place at lightning speed:

• under short-term exposure to cold, the cerebral cortex and central nervous system are mobilized, which is positive for the body;
• a stressful situation leads to a jump in immunity, pain relief, removal of inflammation, spasms, edema;
• under the influence of cold water, internal forces are released, the body temperature can reach 40 ° for a few seconds, causing the death of pathogenic microbes, viruses, cells;
• the thermal conductivity of water is 28 times greater than air, which gives a huge hardening effect.

Considering the listed advantages of the dipping procedure in cold water we can confidently talk about its benefits. Despite the fact that in principle, special physical preparation for such a bath is not required, in some cases there may be a number of difficult moments. Dip without fear official medicine recommends men and women of middle age without complex pathologies. In any case, the sacrament of bathing at Baptism is a deeply individual decision for each person.

How to properly bathe in Epiphany

In addition to the appropriate mood, such bathing requires compliance with certain rules that help to conduct the ceremony correctly and safely. The main point, especially in case of mass holding, is the presence of a specially equipped hole. The ice-hole should be arranged at a water depth of not more than 1.8 m, well fenced to avoid accidental falls, equipped with steps and handrails for descent. Everyone who wants to plunge into the hole should have a swimsuit or swimming trunks, a warm bathrobe, a towel, a set of dry clothes, underwear, slippers or woolen socks.

Before starting, it is recommended to warm up a little, for example, to jog, do squats or simple exercises. In this case, the body should not be sweaty, but only hot. To prevent a sharp narrowing of the vessels of the brain, it is not necessary to wet the head, but it is better to dip only on the neck. You can’t jump into the hole, you have to start diving from your feet. Swimming is not recommended, after 3 dipping it is better to immediately go out and not be in the water for more than 1 minute. Immediately after bathing, you need to rub yourself with a towel, put on dry linen and clothes without delay. Often a towel may not even come in handy, as the skin dries out instantly. But following church rules, when swimming in the Epiphany hole, you must plunge headlong three times. At the same time, there should be a short sincere prayer addressed to God, according to the Orthodox, this charges the water with tremendous power.

Bathing contraindications

It is strictly forbidden to drink alcoholic beverages immediately before bathing and after it. Alcohol in the blood has a bad effect on the state of thermoregulation of the body, sometimes with unforeseen consequences. Under its influence, the vessels dilate, increasing the flow of heat. Some time after use, a person may feel a surge of heat, but then, the opposite effect occurs abruptly and you can seriously catch a cold. Also, you can not smoke, as blood circulation is disturbed. Immediately after dipping, it is better to drink herbal decoction or hot tea. Swimming in a cold hole on a full or empty stomach is harmful.

With the obvious benefits of Epiphany bathing, the category of contraindications includes the presence of chronic or acute diseases. These include disorders of the cardiovascular, endocrine and nervous systems, as well as all kinds of inflammation of the genitourinary system, nasopharynx, otitis media. It is not recommended to plunge into the ice hole if you have suffered injuries of encephalitis, epilepsy and other complex pathologies. To avoid harm and get only benefit, it is recommended to consult a doctor.

It has been celebrated in Rus' for a very long time. The tradition of celebrating Epiphany originated with the advent of Christianity. It is currently celebrated by Orthodox, Catholics and Protestants all over the world. Since ancient times, believing Christians called this holiday Epiphany, and Catholics - the Feast of the Kings.

According to ancient legend When Jesus entered the Jordan River, a dove appeared to him, personifying the Holy Spirit, announcing the will of the Father that the son is a symbol of his good will. The moment of the simultaneous appearance of God, the Son and the Holy Spirit was called the Epiphany.

Catholics have a slightly different version. According to their tradition, three rulers came to the newborn Jesus. They made offerings to him in the form of gold, frankincense and myrrh, recognizing in him the King, God and Man. This day was called the Feast of the Kings.

Previously, the holiday was celebrated by all Christians on the same day, January 6th. Centuries later, Catholics and Protestants moved Christmas to another date, but the celebration of the Epiphany was not changed. The Orthodox introduced the Gregorian calendar and began to celebrate this day on January 19th.

All believers treat this celebration with special trepidation. The celebration begins the day before, when a strict fast is still in effect. At this time, Christians are preparing a lenten dinner, consisting of kutya and oatmeal jelly, and the blessing of water begins in the churches. People come to the temple to confess, take communion and listen to the liturgy. On January 9, the procession is held in the churches, during which all parishioners join the common joy of the holiday. All the water is overshadowed by the cross. All who wish, plunge into the illuminated water (Jordan). This tradition has been going on for centuries. Many collect water in vessels and take it home. It is believed that she protects the believer from troubles and hardships. Then the holiday continues with the family.

Epiphany bathing

It is believed that holy water washes away all the dirt from a person and cleanses his soul. Nowadays everything more people returns to its origins, so they want to experience the effect of purification. However, we must remember that a simple immersion in the hole will not save you from sins. The main thing in this holiday is not the rite of ablution, but repentance for committing bad deeds. Before bathing, it is necessary to confess, take communion and listen to the service. According to Christian canons, in the church one must ask for blessings for bathing.

In our fast-paced age, not everyone can visit the temple on time, endure a long service, confess and take communion, and the clergy understand this and go towards the believers. Now it is not forbidden to dive into the font without visiting the temple. The main thing to know is where the place for swimming will be organized. It is also not considered a violation to refuse to bathe.

Epiphany 2019 falls on Thursday, so you can start diving as early as Wednesday. There are no strict rules on how to dive in Jordan. Over the years, a tradition developed. You need to go into the water and say: "In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit" and plunge headlong. Repeat this three times.

Very often during Epiphany there are big frosts in the yard. Immersion in water under such conditions is a real test for ordinary person. The one who dared to such an act has great willpower. If this is done with faith in God, it is doubly commendable. After all, God's grace can protect from illness and give bodily and mental health.

Many do not dare to swim in the hole, they are afraid that they will freeze and catch a cold. Doctors are sure that, if there are no contraindications, short-term immersion in cold water cannot cause significant harm to the body. However, some recommendations must be followed:

• you must have: a towel, change of clothes, non-slip shoes and a rug;
• dress warmly and loosely;
• undress immediately before entering the water;
• start taking off your clothes from below.
• dress in reverse order;
• do not dive naked. The Church does not welcome this;
• the ideal option is swimming in long shirts;
• It is forbidden to swim while intoxicated.

People who have taken forty degrees per soul are unlikely to be able to feel the beauty of swimming. In addition, they are often not adequate and can only spoil the general high spirits and offend the feelings of believers.

As for children, there are no strict contraindications for swimming. Dive into the hole can be started from a very young age. If the child is participating in the ceremony for the first time or is too small, it is better to start bathing with adults. The introduction to the holiday will be painless and leave vivid memories for life. Many parents try to capture in the photo the first bathing of their child in the hole. If you are still not sure, you can try dipping your baby in the tub. Where to get water for this?

There are many opinions on this matter. It is believed that agiasma - holy water has healing properties and does not deteriorate. Many are not sure that the tap water also underwent a modification for Baptism. Some believers even believe that it cannot be a saint, because it is used for technical purposes. They are sure that performing ablution with such water is blasphemy. Others believe that all motive water has medicinal properties. The main thing is to collect it at the right time.

It is believed that it is better to collect water from midnight on 18.01 until the end of 19.01. in churches or consecrated reservoirs. Many people collect a lot of water to have enough of it until the next holidays. They believe that every day after prayers it is necessary to take several sips of holy water on an empty stomach. This will give the body strength and protect against evil forces. The tradition continues to bless houses, cars and other property with water. It is believed that the use of holy water during illness helps a quick recovery.

Epiphany water is kept near the icon. It is not customary to store it in the refrigerator or elsewhere. It must not be poured into the sewer. If the agiasma is still spoiled, this rarely happens, it can only be poured into an undefiled place. Water deteriorates if sinful deeds are committed nearby. Holy water, according to church canons, cannot be used for animals. Although some believe that if you feed livestock with such water, it breeds better.

Epiphany bathing 2019 in Moscow

In the capital of our Motherland, as in all of Russia, there is a revival of old Russian traditions. More and more people began to go to temples and perform religious rites. As you can see in the photo, the holidays are especially solemn during Epiphany. Solemn liturgies are held in all the churches of Moscow, water is being blessed. Many parishioners perform church rites and, of course, bathe in holy water.

Information about where there will be swimming in the capital is posted every year on the Internet service of the Ministry of Emergencies. Let's hope that in 2019. they will be in places already familiar to Muscovites. In the Central Administrative District, a font for Epiphany bathing is usually organized near the Revolution Square. If you are a resident of the northern part of the capital, it is more convenient for you to visit the Christmas font on the Bolshoy Sadovoy pond, which is located on Bolshaya Akademicheskaya Street.

Guests and residents of the capital who live near the Khimki Reservoir can visit the Christmas bathing area located in the area of ​​Coastal passage or Leningradskoye highway. Some people prefer to bathe at the Molzhaninovsky pond.

But the inhabitants of the North-Eastern District were not lucky. There is no organized places for swimming at Christmas. They can come to the neighboring Eastern District and remember the traditions of their ancestors. Fortunately, there is a sufficient number of places for the ritual of bathing. In the Eastern District, as many as seven Christmas fonts are organized, located on:

• Holy lake;
• Terletsky ponds;
• White Lake;
• Babaevsky pond;
• May Pond;
• Izmailovo.

In the South-East of the capital, you can find three more Jordans, where you can swim in holy water. They are located in the following reservoirs:

• Upper Kuzminki;
• Lower Lublin;
• Shibaevsky pond.

IN Southern District winter swimmers can take a dip at Christmas in the following ponds:

• Upper Tsaritsynsky;
• Borisovsky.

The Southwestern District was the most fortunate. There are six fonts here. They are located on:

• Vorontsovsky pond;
• Prudu at c. Euphrosyne of Moscow;
• Chernevsky pond;
• The pond at the c. "Omen".

There are more and more people who want to plunge into the icy water at Christmas in Moscow every year. In this regard, the city authorities organize additional ice holes for Christmas bathing. Where the cutting will be organized in 2019, you can find out on the portal of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the capital.

Usually they are arranged in the area of ​​​​the Meshchersky pond and on the Moscow River. We think that in the coming year the city administration, as before, will make a hole in the area:

• Kirov floodplain;
• derivation channel;
• On the bottomless lake;
• On the pond of the Chernushka river;
• On the pond in Mitino near the c. "Christmas".

Where will the Epiphany bathing in the suburbs

Some believers do not want to perform the rite of ablution in Moscow. They like it more quiet places, where there is no noise and bustle of the capital, so they are interested in where Christmas swimming will be organized in the Moscow region.

Most famous place in this respect is located in Zelenograd. Here, Epiphany bathing can be done in two places - on the Black and School lakes. Here perfect place for lovers of silence. Nature and union with God will make the Christmas holidays perfect. These happy Days can be made more unforgettable by taking a photo for memory.

The baptism of Jesus Christ is considered one of the 12 major Orthodox holidays. Another name is Theophany, which is explained by its indulgence in the form of a dove on the water.

This is a non-moving holiday, which is celebrated every year on January 19 (in 2019 falls on Saturday) and is not included in the list of official holidays and days off in the Russian Federation.

Many believers are already wondering when they can swim at Epiphany in 2019, but to find the answer, you need to remember some ancient traditions.

Features and usages

In the evening, parishioners attend a church service, and on the night of 18:00 to 19:00, the clergy bless the water in temples and reservoirs, after which everyone can collect it in containers and plunge into the font.

You can draw water for 3 days from the 19th to the 21st, however, it is Epiphany water on January 19th that is considered the most energetically strong.

The main tradition is swimming in the hole, which is cut out in the form of a cross, is called "Jordan". The main requirement, according to the canons of the church, when choosing a place for an ice hole is natural open water, river. After consecration by a priest, the water becomes healing, able to get rid of illnesses, mental and physical suffering.

Many believe that washing with baptismal water is equivalent to the forgiveness of a person’s sins, but this is not so: this requires church attendance, repentance and confession.

It is not at all necessary to dive and stay in icy water for a long time, it is enough to plunge headlong three times, and cross yourself 3 times before entering the hole.

Bathing in Moscow

IN last years among the inhabitants of Russia, dipping into the hole is becoming quite popular. For example, the number of those who plunged in 2018 in the capital is about 120,000 people. Therefore, the number of places in Moscow where you can swim at Epiphany will increase in 2019.

As always, the days when everyone will have the opportunity to swim at Epiphany in Moscow, in 2019 will be the night from 18.01. on 19.01. and 19.01. until the evening - during this period, ambulances and rescuers will be located near the places of mass bathing.

winter in climate zone in which it is geographically located Russian Federation, may surprise with anomalous heat, as in some previous years. Then the reservoirs do not freeze, and it is simply impossible to make an ice hole. However, in 2019 in Moscow, this will not become an obstacle to organizing places where you can swim at Epiphany. According to the experience of 2017-2018, this list is about 60 points.

For the safe and convenient stay of people in official places in each district of the capital, additional funds and activities will be involved:

• anti-slip mats;
• railing;
• changing cabins;
• points with hot drinks;
• car parking;
• lighting lamps;
• dry closets;
• heating tents and providing medical assistance.

Usually on the eve of the holiday, sanitary service specialists take water samples in the proposed bathing places. Often the results of the analyzes carried out are unsatisfactory, which is the reason for the closure of some reservoirs. So, for example, in 2018, 2 ponds fell under such a ban - Pionersky and in Catherine's park capital Cities. The press service of the institution recommends that citizens preview the list of permitted places on the website of the Russian Emergencies Ministry in Moscow.

Center

In this part of the capital, 3 points will be organized:

1. Revolution square.
2. Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on Chisty Vrazhek.
3. Catherine Park (Suvorovskaya Square).

North

It is planned to hold events at the Big Garden Pond (Bolshaya Academicheskaya Street). In Khimki, at the reservoir, swimming will take place in 2 places:

1. Dynamo Stadium, Leningradskoe shosse.
2. Beach "Levoberezhny" coastal drive.

In the Northeast, the main scene of action is the Ostankino (Palace) pond.

Residents of the North-West will be able to come to such reservoirs as:

1. Stroginskaya floodplain.
2. Bottomless lake.
3. Moskva River - Park " Northern Tushino».
4. st. Freedom, st. Picturesque, st. Aviation.
5. derivation channel.
6. The Chernushka River in the Pokrovskoye-Streshnevo park,
7. Landscape park "Mitino" (Baryshikha).
8. Karamyshevskaya embankment.
9. Kirov floodplain.

East

The area is characterized by the presence of many picturesque ponds:

• Babaevsky.
• Red.
• May.
• Silver Grape.
• Alder (Park "Terletskaya oak forest").
• Putyaevsky.
• Deer (Sokolniki Park).

Also popular among the residents of the district are such places of recreation as:

• Font "Vernissage".
• Lake "White" and "Holy".

South

Epiphany ceremonies will be organized local authorities on these ponds:

1. Borisovsky (temple Life-Giving Trinity, Borisov).
2. Upper Tsaritsynsky.
3. "Becket" (Country Highway).
4. Upper Kuzminsky.
5. Lower Lublin.
6. Shibaevsky.
7. Vorontsovsky (Church of the Life-Giving Trinity, Vorontsovo).
8. Chernyavsky (Church of the Nativity, Chernevo).
9. Sanatorium "Uzkoe" (temple of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, Yasenevo).
10. Troparevsky (recreation area "Tpoparevo").
11. Nakhimovsky prospect.
12. Icon temple Mother of God"The Sign", Zakharyino.

West

Massive fonts await visitors at the Meshchersky Pond and the Moscow River:

• Filevsky boulevard.
• st. Bolshaya Filevskaya.
• Rublevo.

Behavior rules

For safety, it is worth remembering and following the simple recommendations of experts:

1. Eat a little high-calorie food to provide the body with the necessary energy. Avoid smoking before and after bathing to avoid additional stress on the heart.
2. Quick entry to prevent hypothermia.
3. Being in the water for beginners - no longer than 20 seconds, a maximum for trained people - 2 minutes.
4. You can not wipe yourself with a towel after leaving the water, so as not to damage the capillaries of the skin in the cold.
5. The fastest dressing in dry clothes with a minimum of fasteners.
6. Drink hot tea.
7. Take a short run to warm up the body.

There are also a number of signs of hypothermia, in the event of which a bathing person needs emergency help doctors:

1. Sharp redness of the skin.
2. Pain in occiput and temples.
3. Fatigue and stiffness of movement.

It is worth remembering that this rite is not mandatory, but a voluntary action, therefore, having decided to go through it, it is important not to harm the body and your health.

Bathing contraindications

In order for the celebration of Epiphany in 2019 in Moscow to pass calmly and without incidents, emergency care specialists have prepared in advance a list of restrictions with which it is absolutely impossible to swim in the hole:

1. Cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and disorders of the nervous system.
2. Pregnancy.
3. Age up to 12 years.
4. A state of drug or alcohol intoxication.
5. Availability infectious diseases or gynecological inflammation.
6. The state of exacerbation of chronic diseases.
7. Diabetes mellitus and diseases of the genitourinary system.

For immersion in water, you should choose specially designated and prepared places where representatives of the rescue service are present. Diving alone is also prohibited, since in the event of an unforeseen situation, no one can help a drowning person.

More about the rules of baptismal bathing: video

On the eve of the Baptism of the Lord - on the evening of January 18 - Orthodox all over the world attend solemn services in churches, they also take blessed water there. The custom of consecrating water at the Epiphany was made in order to prepare it for those who would be baptized in it.

“Today, sacred water is taken and used at home to strengthen physically, believing that it can have some healing, strengthening properties,” Georgy, priest of the Russian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate and rector of the St. Philaret Orthodox Christian Institute, told Gazeta.Ru Kochetkov.

As for Epiphany mass bathing, they appeared from the combination of two traditions: to perform the sacrament of baptism on the feast of the Epiphany (as well as on Christmas and Easter, it used to be one of the most popular days for the ceremony) and go to the places where the events described in the Gospel took place. “Since baptism is rarely performed on this day now, people seem to be a little imitating the ancient custom, and if they don’t get baptized, then at least they dip,” added Georgy Kochetkov.

In pre-revolutionary times, the Epiphany of the Lord was celebrated according to the old style - that is, on January 6th. In the central provinces Russian Empire the eve of this religious holiday was called “candles”, because after the service on this day, the townspeople placed candles intertwined with colored threads or ribbons by the vessel in which the water was consecrated. Although after Christmas and until the end of Maslenitsa one could eat anything, it was on January 5 that Orthodox Christians kept a strict fast - even children were not allowed to eat until the first star.

In the evening, there was a real crush in the temples, as people believed that the sooner you draw the blessed water, the “holier” it will be. But in some provinces it was forbidden to take water from the well until the morning of January 6th.

After the blessing of water, each member of the family took a sip of water. The remains were scattered around the territory of the house, thereby protecting the dwelling from trouble and the evil eye. Mass bathing was not practiced: people preferred to simply go to the reservoir and watch when the water swells in the hole. This was a sign that the Lord plunged into the water, which means that after that the water even in the most musty swamp became holy.

In the modern church, baptismal bathing is treated without fanaticism, calling to go to the liturgy, and not to the Jordan, if "immersion in an ice hole is accompanied by drinking alcohol, swear words."

“From the point of view of the church, a man who has dipped himself from a person who has not been dipped is in no way different in nature. The Church rejoices when people feel that something is changing in their lives, when they want to be washed from their sins. But if for a person immersion in water is just wellness procedure, hardening or entertainment, then this has nothing to do with faith or the feast of Epiphany, ”said priest Georgy Kochetkov.

And yet, many cannot imagine Baptism without bathing. For them in the city 59 sites equipped, both in natural reservoirs and in artificial fonts. Each point has a safe descent to the water with handrails, warm changing cabins, heating points and places where you can drink hot tea.

It will be possible to plunge into the ice water from 18:00 on January 18 until noon on January 19. Please note that although Epiphany in Moscow will turn out to be relatively warm (-9 ... -7 ° C), but due to the wind of 12-17 m / s and a snowstorm, the weather will feel much more severe - 10 degrees lower than the predicted value.

Residents of the Central Administrative District, according to tradition, are offered to either go to another district, or use the only swimming area in the center. Previously, the font was located on Revolution Square, but now for the second time it was decided to install it near the Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on Chisty Vrazhka (Kyiv metro station). Muscovites from the North-Eastern Administrative District will be able to take a dip in the Palace Pond, residents of the north of the capital - in the Big Garden Pond, at the Dynamo water stadium, and also at the address: Pribrezhny proezd, possession 7.

The townspeople living in the North-West Administrative District, as usual, have the widest choice of places for swimming, which is explained by the wide and clean Moscow River in this part of the capital. The following points will be open for them: on the Baryshikha pond in Mitin, on the pond in Rozhdestveno, the Derivative Canal, in the Northern Tushino PKiO, in the Stroginskaya and Kirovskaya floodplains, on Lake Bezdonnoye, Karamyshevskaya embankment (houses 13-15), Aviatsionnaya streets ( house 79) and Lodochnaya (possession 19).

In the western district of the capital, Epiphany bathing will take place in the Meshchersky Pond and the Moskva River near the village of Rublevo, house 40a on Filevskaya Street, as well as Filevsky Boulevard (house 21). For residents of the SWAD, bathing points will operate at Vorontsovsky, Troparevsky, Chernevsky ponds, as well as at the pond of the Uzkoye sanatorium, on Nakhimovsky Prospekt (building 8) and near the temple in Zakharyin.

In the Southern District, sites are being equipped at the Becket, Tsaritsynsky and Borisovsky ponds. By the way, safety at the Borisovsky Pond will also be provided by a rescue drone as part of the experiment, we hope it will not be blown away this evening. As for the South-Eastern district of the capital, there points for Epiphany bathing will be opened on the Upper Kuzminsky, Lower Lyublinsky and Shibaevsky ponds. On the territory of the Eastern District, one font will be opened - "Vernissage" in Izmailovo - and several natural sites (Holy and White Lake, Terletsky, Babaevsky and Deer ponds).

As usual, an online broadcast will be organized from the venues using the Window to the City service, so that Muscovites can choose the least loaded font.

In order not to embarrass the dipping believers, the cameras will only show the big picture, not the bathers. close-up. By the way, these broadcasts are the most popular among foreign Internet users.

Each bathing area will have an information board with the rules for conducting a religious ritual. But it is still better to learn about such things not two meters before the font. So, it is worth taking with you, in addition to a towel, a set of dry clothes, as well as non-slip rubber slippers. Before the ritual, it is advisable to look to the doctor, because bathing is contraindicated for people with diseased kidneys, as well as for those who suffer from cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure and diabetes. Swimming is also recommended for pregnant women.

Experts advise to eat well before diving into the hole, but it is better to eat at least an hour before swimming.

Before throwing yourself into the pool (in no case with your head - a spasm of blood vessels in the head is possible, and, in addition, there will be nowhere to dry your hair later), it is recommended to sit down several times and make a couple of inclinations.

This will warm up the muscles and disperse the blood throughout the body.

For safety reasons, you should not crowd on the way to the ice hole, because the ice may not withstand a large crowd of people. Rescuers in advance ask extreme-seekers not to dive head first into the hole. After being immersed in Epiphany water three times, they recommend that the townspeople not linger and make room for the next believers.

One of the most popular places for winter swims. Every year, polynyas are carefully prepared here, places for changing clothes and ladders for entering the water are equipped. There are lifeguards on the lake. Despite the loud name, the depth of the reservoir is small - up to three meters. But there is where to turn around: the length of the main font on the lake is about 20 meters.

Usually, several holes for walruses are equipped on the ice of the reservoir. It is convenient to get here public transport and the water is pretty clean. There is one caveat: walruses are usually accompanied by fishermen. But after swimming, you can take a walk to the Museum of the History of the Russian Navy, which is located nearby. This place is interesting and colorful: right on the shore there are real ships and submarines,

 Leningradskoe sh., 25-45

Usually this winter beach becomes a gathering place for the walruses of the Winter Swimming Club, who organize a high-quality long polynya here. There are changing areas and a lifeguard station. The depth of the pond is small. Summer 2018 beach area and the bottom of the pond was cleared, recognizing it as suitable and safe for swimming.

 st. Bolshaya Academicheskaya, 38a

Shibaevsky pond

The hole is usually close to boat station. There is a changing area. People swim here often, so the risk of coming to a frozen polynya is small. The regulars organized their walrus club, which accepts everyone. The hole is about 7 meters long and 4 meters wide. The most convenient way to get to the pond is on foot from the Volzhskaya metro station.

Strogino floodplain 0+

The holes are in different places Stroginsky Bay of the Moscow River. Experienced walruses say that this is one of the most deep places for swimming in winter. But be prepared for the fact that there are no changing cabins. You can get to the bathing place on foot from the Strogino metro station or from Schukinskaya by taking the tram.

A good ice-hole near the Schukinskaya metro station. Landmark - Stroginsky bridge. The polynya is to the left of it. A gentle long descent into the water, there is a house where you can undress. Three times a week, hardening classes are held at the site, which are conducted by the club of hardening and winter swimming "Walruses of the Capital". Everyone is welcome to the club.

 left bank, st. Picturesque

Convenient location near the metro station "Volzhskaya" and from the metro station "Tekstilshchiki". There is a house, the hole is equipped with a convenient wooden descent. Usually the polynya in this place is modest in size, but the depth is good. Members of the Winter Swimming and Hardening Club, which has existed for over 40 years, come here to gain strength. The walruses carry out their procedures every day at 6 am.

 Lublin Park of Culture and Leisure