€£$
по-русскиen Español (pronto)
enter
1511things to do
in the world
61things to do
in Ukraine
26things to do
in Kiev

Dive in the ice-hole on Baptismin Kiev, Ukraine

#12of 26 things to doin Kiev

Oddviser

adventure's step-by-step
recipes & lifehacks
How to ride a board on volcano in Nicaragua?How to walk inside the active volcano in Greece?How to feed flying dogs in the jungles of Thailand?How to cycle along the Great Wall of China?How to swim in the famous Trevi Fountain in Rome?How to ride a kayak along the canals of Venice?How to walk on the roofs of skyscrapers in Dubai?
Join usit's more fun together :)
Dive three times into the water with the words "In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit" - you are healed from all ills.
How to dive in the ice-hole on Baptism in Kiev
The tradition of dipping into an ice-hole appeared in 988 after the baptism of Kievan Rus, and now, after centuries, people from year to year repeat this ritual and believe that it will heal them from all ailments. The Orthodox recruit holy water from the hay, wash their faces with it, and the most brave dive into the ice water.

baptism, Kiev

baptism, Kiev


But be aware that there is a number of contraindications. Diving into an ice-hole is forbidden for people who have sick cardiovascular system, with diseases of the nervous or endocrine system, as well as the organs of vision and respiration.

How to do?

1. Go to a specially equipped place where a hole has been cut down beforehand, they are located not far from the coast of the river.
2. Here you will see a crowd of people, priests and an ambulance car, in case someone gets sick.
3. It is necessary to come with a good mood and gaining strength of will. Get ready and dive. It is necessary to plunge three times, after each one you should cross and say "In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit".
4. Do not stay in the water for more than a minute to not overcool, get out of there and rush to have a cup of tea.
5. You are healed and blessed!

When to do?

On January 18 at the Baptismal Eucharist, the eve of Epiphany, or Baptism.

Diving in the ice hole at night, Kiev
Photo: Diving in the ice hole at night

Tips and hints

Grab a towel and a bathrobe, a set of dry clothes, a swimsuit, slippers, so as not to hurt your legs, or to not slip on ice, better woolen socks, you can swim in them, a rubber cap if you need.

Reviews

Guest30 December 2024

More things to do in Kiev

DMARC CheckGet instant DMARC check on DmarcDkim.comadvertisement

DMARC allows you to discover, monitor, and fix weak spots in your email setup, prevent email spoofing, and increase email deliverability. Is your domain vulnerable?

#21Watch the dancing fountains in KievWatch the dancing fountainsRian Clark

In summer a colorful music show is held in Kiev. Go straight to Maidan Nezalezhnosti to see it with your own eyes.

FREE
#18Try Chicken Kiev in KievTry Chicken KievBeautiful

The dish appeared in the restaurant "Kiev" in the 19th century and became popular due to its taste and the fact that it is insanely convenient to eat.

25
#11Hang a lock on the bridge of lovers in KievHang a lock on the bridge of loversNelicesa

Lock your love by hanging the lock on the bridge of lovers.

FREEPark Bridge or Bridge of Lovers
#16Climb Lysa Gora in KievClimb Lysa GoraAnna Grishina

Lysa Gora (Bald mountain) was a place of pagan worship. Under Peter the Great, fortification and an underground city were built here.

FREELysa Hora
#17Have a picnic in the botanical garden in KievHave a picnic in the botanical gardenNika

Take a bottle of wine, some fruits and sweets and have a picnic right in the lilac garden.

40Botanical Garden
#2Climb to the Mother Motherland in KievClimb to the Mother Motherlandoddviser

Rise to the top of the monumental figure, where you can see the streets of Kiev and take cool selfie on the top of the Mother Motherland.

50Mother Motherland
#6Try kvass in KievTry kvassНиколай Щепетов

All Ukrainians love this drink, it can save you on hot days. It is kept in barrels and you can find it everywhere in the city in summer.

3
#19Try «Kiev Perepichka » in KievTry «Kiev Perepichka »Anna Tet

Try the very first Ukrainian fast food and probably the cheapest one, which is prepared following the constant recipe for 35 years.

12Kiev perepichka
#4Try Ukrainian borscht in KievTry Ukrainian borschtoddviser

About this dish knows everyone who visits Ukraine. The famous soup has become a symbol of this country, and you should definitely try it.

50
#23Fly on a hot air balloon in KievFly on a hot air balloonNelicesa

What? Haven't you seen Kiev from above? Run faster to the statue of Motherland. No. Stop! Appreciate the beauty of the city from a hot air balloon.

2500
#14Taste hot dumplings in KievTaste hot dumplingsLev Сhechetkin

Dumplings with meat, with potatoes, with cherries, with poppy seeds, with cottage cheese, with cabbage, with mushrooms, with everything - try them all!

25
Know more things to do?Guest

Share your ideas of what to do in Kiev with other travellers — together we'll make our travellings more interesting!