Putin takes a public swim to mark Epiphany
President Vladimir Putin marked the Orthodox Christian holiday, Epiphany, with a public ritual.
On Friday, 19 January, the world woke up to a rather intimate Twitter video of the most important man in Russia.
President Vladimir Putin was filmed taking a dip in the pool in the middle of winter.
But he had a very good reason for braving the cold waters: the President was celebrating Epiphany, a holiday on which Orthodox Christians mark the baptism of Jesus.
The Russian embassy shared visuals of the Statesman performing the ritual:
President #Putin joins the nation in celebrating the #Epiphany, braves the icy waters of the frozen Lake Seliger pic.twitter.com/2waCXxKPuK
— Russia in RSA 🇷🇺 (@EmbassyofRussia) January 19, 2018
The President can be seen making the sign of the cross before immersing himself briefly in the water. The choir in the background adds the right ambience to the moment.
While it may be uncommon to see the President taking a swim in public, some may find it comforting to know the lengths he will go to for his faith.
ALSO READ: Men in Europe are crazy about 'cycle ball'