Orthodox believers in South Ossetia have celebrated one of the main Christian holidays - the Epiphany. From early morning, residents of the Republic filled the churches to take part in the festive liturgies and collecting holy water.
After the service, representatives of the Alanian diocese and numerous believers made a a cross procession from the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary to the Liakhva River. The Rite of the Great Blessing of Water was performed here. After the ceremony, everyone was able to take part in the Epiphany bathing.
This year, unlike previous years, the traditional mass baptism in the Liakhva River was not held. The day before, it took place in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, where about 50 people were baptized.
Night Epiphany bathing also took place in the village of Dmenis in Tskhinval district.
Festive services in honor of the Baptism of the Lord and the Epiphany were also held in the Church of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Tsars Constantine and Helena, the Church of St. George and the Church of the Holy Trinity.
