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Lukashenko takes dip in icy waters near Minsk to mark Epiphany

MINSK, 20 January (BelTA) – Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko took a dip into icy waters to mark the Orthodox Epiphany on 19 January. The video was released by the Telegram channel Pul Pervogo, BelTA has learned.

"The president observes the Epiphany tradition every year," Pul Pervogo said.

According to the tradition, the head of state submerged himself three times. When completing the ritual he made a plea to God: "Dear Lord, please give peace to late Metropolitan Filaret and long years to Father Fyodor, who made this shirt [in which Aleksandr Lukashenko plunged into icy waters]," the president asked raising his eyes to the sky.

Next to Aleksandr Lukashenko was his dog, a white Spitz named Umka. The dog was waiting for his master nearby, yapping loudly and a bit nervously.

These are not the only pictures that the Telegram channel has released to show the way the head of state spent the Epiphany night. First the president chopped wood, then drank water from a water spring. They also showed the president's favorite bathhouse. Aleksandr Lukashenko was always accompanied by his little pet.

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