Overview
- Patriarch Kirill led the Great Blessing of Waters at Moscow’s Christ the Saviour Cathedral on Jan. 18, with the service broadcast by Spas.
- More than 2,000 people visited the Main Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces overnight, venerating the central icon, joining prayers, and taking ritual immersions, according to the Defense Ministry.
- The cathedral scheduled a 09:00 MSK liturgy on Jan. 19 followed by water blessing, with public access to collect water and use the immersions until 19:00 MSK.
- Rostov Region authorities prepared 70 approved bathing locations for Jan. 18–19, with over 1,000 personnel and more than 200 units of equipment assigned for safety.
- St. Petersburg listed 17 safeguarded sites, supported by about 100 responders and 24 vehicles, as regional churches conduct services for the feast.