On Orthodox Christian Epiphany, Russia’s special envoy Kirill Dmitriev shared footage of President Vladimir Putin’s traditional ice-water immersion ritual and called for unity against “Satanism,” blending religion, culture and geopolitics. The message has sparked debate online, with some viewing it as a call for spiritual values and others criticising it as political propaganda contrasting Russia with Western liberal ideals. Orthodox Christians around the world celebrate Epiphany, also known as

Orthodox Christian communities marked Epiphany 2026 with traditional cold-water rituals across Eastern Europe and Russia. From mass cross-retrieval swims in Serbia to organized ice-hole bathing in Siberia, these centuries-old customs symbolize faith, devotion, and spiritual renewal. Officials confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin also observed the Epiphany tradition this year, though widely shared visuals online include archival footage from earlier celebrations. Such ceremonies take p