Posted on 01/20/2020 1:49:46 PM PST by NRx
An annual tradition in Russia is to mark the Baptism of Christ by cutting cross shaped holes in the iced over rivers and lakes and for the faithful to take a quick plunge while making the sign of the cross.
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Here in East TN I think the Byzantine priest throws a crucifix into a stream or pond, and the boys go and dive to find it and bring it up again. Is that the same thing, sorta?
Us Westerners don't go in for that. But we (some of us) do bless chalk and chalk prayers above our doorways. That's on Three Kings Day.
I did a cold plunge once to gain membership in the Arctic Ocean Polar Bear Club. It took several hours for my testicles to re-descend and my penis to re-appear. At least my heart continued to work.
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