Russian Orthodox Christians prepare for Epiphany

Orthodox Christians are preparing for the feast of Epiphany which marks the end of the 12 days of Christmas and is one of the biggest holidays in the Christian world.

Each year believers take part in an Epiphany ritual where they submerge themselves in freezing water to commemorate the baptism of Jesus Christ in the River Jordan.

Preparations began on the eve of the Epiphany, with a church service in Moscow on Monday conducted by Patriarch Kirill.

Swimming areas were being dug out of icy ponds and lakes, and in the Russian city of Blagoveshchensk, divers cleaned rivers and water reservoirs of litter and debris to enable people to swim safely.

Preparations were also underway in Tajikistan, where soldiers at the Russian military base in Dushanbe prepared a covered basin for the Epiphany's ceremony.

Not all Orthodox Christian churches celebrate Epiphany on the same day.

Orthodox Churches in Russia, Ukraine and Serbia follow the Julian calendar, according to which Epiphany is celebrated on January 19, as their Christmas falls on January 7.

Orthodox Christian churches in Greece, Bulgaria and Romania celebrated the feast on January 6.

Some Western Christian churches celebrate the religious holiday of Epiphany as Three Kings Day, which marks the visit of the Magi, or three wise men, to the baby Jesus, and closes out the Christmas season.