On Monday, 19 January, as the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ is celebrated, the Daugavpils–Rēzekne Diocese of the Latvian Orthodox Church and the National Cultural Centres of the Daugavpils Palace of Culture invite the city’s residents and visitors to a festive service and the blessing of water.
At 9:00 a.m., a solemn service in honour of the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord Jesus Christ will begin at the Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Martyrs Boris and Gleb in Daugavpils. In the Orthodox tradition, this feast is also known as the Theophany (the Manifestation of God) and holds a special place in the liturgical year.
The celebrations will continue at 1:00 p.m. at the Central Beach of the Great Stropu Lake, near the Lifeguard Station, where clergy from the Daugavpils district will bless the water. Believers will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the lake three times, symbolically cleansing soul and body and affirming their faith.
The organisers urge participants to act responsibly and to observe proper conduct and public order. Until 4:00 p.m., safety at the Central Beach will be monitored by the Daugavpils Municipal Police and an emergency medical team.
