Christmas tradition: diving for the cross (9 photos)

The day before the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas, Christian churches, living in the Gregorian calendar, mark one of the oldest Christian holidays - Epiphany. He is dedicated to the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. According to Christian doctrine, it was after the Baptism of Jesus began to educate people, illuminating them with the light of truth. In the Western Church the feast is called Theophany (Epiphany Greek, Theophany).

The day begins with a festive service in all churches after Mass festive procession moved towards the sea. Here the priests throw a cross into the water and young people dive into the water to get it.





Epiphany in Greece

















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