Epiphany, Polish and Russian

Epiphany - Trzech Króli - is a public holiday here in Poland, and only Churches, petrol stations, and the emergency services are open, unless the staff are also proprietors. 

So it's Mass, and then meeting round food and a friendly bottle.

In Russia, Epiphany is on 19th of January, when a cross-shaped hole is cut in the ice of a river or lake, the water is blessed by Priests, and the faithful queue on the ice in their bathing costumes to cross themselves, completely immerse themselves three times in the water (about 1 degree Celsius), and, I guess, meet round food and a friendly bottle.  

Sadly, this year there is no snow or ice in Northern Poland, but a group of us will be swimming in the Baltic on Sunday, with a beach barbecue afterwards.

We're hoping for a decent helping of sub-zero temperatures, snow, and ice by then.