The Russian Orthodox Church is celebrating one of the main Christian holidays - the Baptism of Jesus.
This holiday is also called the Epiphany, as at the time of the baptism of Jesus all three Persons of the Trinity manifested themselves simultaneously to humanity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill is as traditional leading the Divine Liturgy and water blessing ceremony in Moscow's Epiphany Cathedral in Yelokhovo, dedicated to this holiday.
Ceremonies to bless water in lakes and rivers will take place all over Russia on January 18 and 19. Water in rivers, lakes and other water bodies will also be sanctified.
Since the early morning hundreds of believers wanting to plunge into holy water gathered in the the Naur district of Chechnya. In Ingushetia more than 3,000 residents of the republic are celebrating the Feast of the Baptism.
