The BBC (here) reports today that many Russians are now becoming concerned for the welfare of children who undergo "ice baptisms". This Russian tradition, in which children, and some adults, are baptised in rivers and lakes on the Feast of the Epiphany can lead to hypothermia and death, and is now being called "abusive" by some commentators. The issue was brought to a head after a video of a child being baptised in an ice hole was posted on YouTube last January.The Orthodox Church commemorates the Baptism of the Lord during the Epiphany (Theophany) - which, when translated into the Gregorian calendar, falls on 19 January. Needless to say, being baptised by full immersion in mid-January would be uncomfortable, even indoors. Many Russians, though, opt for outdoor baptism in freezing cold rivers and lakes on the Feast of Theophany. This tradition happens to be most common in Siberia - where the temperature that time of year plummets to -30C.
The boy in the YouTube video appears to be no more than five or six years old, and is hysterical throughout the ordeal. The priest and other adults wear furs, thick vestments or heavy blankets as protection against the cold, whilst the child has a flimsy blanket. After the onlookers have removed the boy's protective covering, two old men hold onto his arms and drop him into the ice hole as the priest submerges his head under the water three times. Definitely not the way I remember my baptism all those years ago!
According to the BBC's news item, "The ceremony is reported to have taken place not far from a Siberian city of Irkutsk on 19 January, the Russian Orthodox festival of Epiphany, commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ." Those urbane Russians, who have been shocked to see how some of their compatriots celebrate the Epiphany, are now demanding that the priest be charged with child abuse, calling the event "sadistic".
Some Orthodox priests have also condemned this "ice baptism" tradition - which, according to some, can be traced back to pre-Christian pagan Russia. One clergyman, Fr Yakov Krotov, told the BBC that, "Christening, while being beneficial for the soul, does not have to be harmful for the body". It also appears that the practice is only sacramental in a small number of instances, as most of those who plunge into the icy waters do so as some kind of endurance test or rite of passage, without the sanction of the Church.
Since the fall of Communism, the Orthodox Church has experienced an enormous revival amongst the Russians. According to the BBC, "There is now no shortage of people of all ages, eager to fast during Lent, mark the resurrection at Easter with traditional bread, get married in church and christened in holy water." It also appears that the tradition of baptism by ice has also made a bit of a comeback - especially as many Russians, even those already baptised, think that sins are wiped away by this sometimes penitential ritual.
Some Russians also believe that being immersed in dangerously cold water at an early age will help children become immune to the effects of freezing weather. One the other hand, members of the medical profession warn that the opposite is true - as children could easily die from shock or hypothermia whilst being baptised in ice holes.
Some Orthodox priests, like Fr Krotov, point out that this "ice baptism" tradition wasn't popular at all before the Communist Revolution in 1917. In fact, it seems that the ritual only became fashionable after the fall of Communism, as a means of trying to identify with the past. Fr Krotov is also keen to point out that baptisms should be performed safely, preferably inside a church, and not under conditions that endanger life. He also stressed that priests "cannot ever be abusive".
The BBC reports that "a massive outcry in the Russian media and blogosphere" erupted after "an amateur video of a screaming, naked boy being plunged by a priest into an ice hole in Siberia appeared on the web". Having seen the disturbing video on YouTube (here), I can understand why so many would have concerns for the welfare of the child involved. Having viewed other images of the practice being performed elsewhere (here) and (here), I can also see why some adults use "ice baptism" as a personal penance.
The boy in the YouTube video appears to be no more than five or six years old, and is hysterical throughout the ordeal. The priest and other adults wear furs, thick vestments or heavy blankets as protection against the cold, whilst the child has a flimsy blanket. After the onlookers have removed the boy's protective covering, two old men hold onto his arms and drop him into the ice hole as the priest submerges his head under the water three times. Definitely not the way I remember my baptism all those years ago!Some Orthodox priests have also condemned this "ice baptism" tradition - which, according to some, can be traced back to pre-Christian pagan Russia. One clergyman, Fr Yakov Krotov, told the BBC that, "Christening, while being beneficial for the soul, does not have to be harmful for the body". It also appears that the practice is only sacramental in a small number of instances, as most of those who plunge into the icy waters do so as some kind of endurance test or rite of passage, without the sanction of the Church.
Since the fall of Communism, the Orthodox Church has experienced an enormous revival amongst the Russians. According to the BBC, "There is now no shortage of people of all ages, eager to fast during Lent, mark the resurrection at Easter with traditional bread, get married in church and christened in holy water." It also appears that the tradition of baptism by ice has also made a bit of a comeback - especially as many Russians, even those already baptised, think that sins are wiped away by this sometimes penitential ritual.
Some Russians also believe that being immersed in dangerously cold water at an early age will help children become immune to the effects of freezing weather. One the other hand, members of the medical profession warn that the opposite is true - as children could easily die from shock or hypothermia whilst being baptised in ice holes.
Some Orthodox priests, like Fr Krotov, point out that this "ice baptism" tradition wasn't popular at all before the Communist Revolution in 1917. In fact, it seems that the ritual only became fashionable after the fall of Communism, as a means of trying to identify with the past. Fr Krotov is also keen to point out that baptisms should be performed safely, preferably inside a church, and not under conditions that endanger life. He also stressed that priests "cannot ever be abusive".Seeing that so many Russian adults now seem to like "baptising" themselves on the Feast of the Epiphany, it looks like this tradition is here to stay. It also appears that quite a few priests are more than happy to carry on immersing children in ice holes. In that respects, I'm glad that I belong to the Latin Church - even if I sometimes admire that penitential spirit of the Russians.
[Images: Top: Orthodox clergy bless a cross-shaped ice hole; source: WolfieWolfgan. Middle and Bottom: Stills from the YouTube video showing a small boy being baptised in an ice hole; source: YouTube]
4 comments:
Off-topic, sorry, but sounds urgent: http://michaelgabrielraphael.blogspot.com/2011/03/putting-him-down-like-animal.html
I am from Finland and have practiced ice swimming, or what is called Polar Bear Plunge in America. It's really not as big of a deal as you are making it out to be, and is actually beneficial for health. Even elderly folks do it several times a week to combat aches and pains and depression. I know laypeople and priests who do a yearly plunge in the Epiphany waters and quite enjoy it. People from cold climates know how to handle these things. However, plunging under three times is somewhat intense. Usually ice swimmers don't put their head under water because so much of heat is lost through the head and because the possibility of fainting. But with somebody holding you it is extremely unlikely anything would happen.However, I agree it is abusive to do it to children to force them to go through this and it is also totally unnecessary. Baptisms can be performed at other times, and the most traditional is Easter Saturday. And the Church is allowed to baptize by sprinkling in cases where immersion is not possible because the person would be harmed by immersion or is afraid of water. I was baptized Orthodox as an adult in a lake during the summer and even in the summer is a somewhat intense experience (the lake had no bottom and I was under a fairly long time). My baptism was actually postponed until the summer so we could do it outside. Elsewhere, a big tub is filled, the person kneels in it, the priest grabs the person's head and plunges them under water three times. This is not nearly as terrifying as open water.
I wanted to add that the plunge actually gives an instantaneous "marathon runner's high". It feels about as good as getting intravenous Valium so while it may look like a penance, it's not. You feel VERY good instantly after you get out.
I'm Pole, but I was born in Russia. and I live here all my life... we DO NOT have such tradition 2 baptise children in ice hole!!! it is not Russian culture! And even adults takes this Holly Sacrament under such conditions- very seldom! usually it happen inside church... we have a tradition to go to the river and jump into ice hole(in Russian it is named "iordan'"- very similar to Jordan river in Russian pronunciation). We plunge into it 3 times and make a symbol of the Cross... we do it for remembering of Jesus's baptism as well it remind us about our own baptism... It is not mandatory... some people go to the river just to take Holly Water... This priest seems to be crazy! And should be punished! I'm Catholic, but I like this tradition, so yesterday I went to the river to join our Orthodox brothers in their celebration... it was nice!!! after, every body were invited to drink a hot tea... and also it is impossible to catch a chill on this Hollyday... it is possible all days except this... I dunno why... maybe coz it is something like a miracle..and I have never heard about such occurrences... this priest is realy crazy and he is not truth example of Russian culture and priesthood!
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