Loading...
Done
Bosnian Serbs carry oak and pray near burning Yule logs in front of the Church of the Holy Prophet Elijah during the eve of the Orthodox Christmas in Sokolac, Bosnia and Herzegovina, January 6, 2016. Most Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar on January 7, two weeks after most western Christian churches that abide by the Gregorian calendar. (Photo by Dado Ruvic/Reuters)

Bosnian Serbs carry oak and pray near burning Yule logs in front of the Church of the Holy Prophet Elijah during the eve of the Orthodox Christmas in Sokolac, Bosnia and Herzegovina, January 6, 2016. Most Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar on January 7, two weeks after most western Christian churches that abide by the Gregorian calendar. (Photo by Dado Ruvic/Reuters)



Burning Yule logs and fireworks are seen in front of the Church of the Holy Prophet Elijah during the eve of the Orthodox Christmas in Sokolac, Bosnia and Herzegovina, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Dado Ruvic/Reuters)

Burning Yule logs and fireworks are seen in front of the Church of the Holy Prophet Elijah during the eve of the Orthodox Christmas in Sokolac, Bosnia and Herzegovina, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Dado Ruvic/Reuters)



Orthodox priest prays near burning Yule logs in front of Church of the Holy Prophet Elijah during the eve of the Orthodox Christmas in Sokolac, Bosnia and Herzegovina, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Dado Ruvic/Reuters)

Orthodox priest prays near burning Yule logs in front of Church of the Holy Prophet Elijah during the eve of the Orthodox Christmas in Sokolac, Bosnia and Herzegovina, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Dado Ruvic/Reuters)



Men jump into the waters of a lake in an attempt to grab a wooden cross on Epiphany Day in Sofia, Bulgaria January 6, 2016. Orthodox priests throughout the country traditionally bless the waters by throwing a cross into it which worshippers try to catch, with the strong belief that catching the cross brings health and prosperity to the person who retrieves it. (Photo by Stoyan Nenov/Reuters)

Men jump into the waters of a lake in an attempt to grab a wooden cross on Epiphany Day in Sofia, Bulgaria January 6, 2016. Orthodox priests throughout the country traditionally bless the waters by throwing a cross into it which worshippers try to catch, with the strong belief that catching the cross brings health and prosperity to the person who retrieves it. (Photo by Stoyan Nenov/Reuters)



Bulgarian men dance in the icy waters of the Tundzha river during a celebration for Epiphany Day in the town of Kalofer, Bulgaria January 6, 2016. (Photo by Stoyan Nenov/Reuters)

Bulgarian men dance in the icy waters of the Tundzha river during a celebration for Epiphany Day in the town of Kalofer, Bulgaria January 6, 2016. (Photo by Stoyan Nenov/Reuters)



Bulgarian men dance in the icy waters of the Tundzha river during a celebration for Epiphany Day in the town of Kalofer, Bulgaria January 6, 2016. (Photo by Stoyan Nenov/Reuters)

Bulgarian men dance in the icy waters of the Tundzha river during a celebration for Epiphany Day in the town of Kalofer, Bulgaria January 6, 2016. (Photo by Stoyan Nenov/Reuters)



A man carries a child on his shoulders as he dances in the icy waters of the Tundzha river during a celebration for Epiphany Day in the town of Kalofer, Bulgaria January 6, 2016. (Photo by Stoyan Nenov/Reuters)

A man carries a child on his shoulders as he dances in the icy waters of the Tundzha river during a celebration for Epiphany Day in the town of Kalofer, Bulgaria January 6, 2016. (Photo by Stoyan Nenov/Reuters)



Bulgarian men dance in the icy waters of the Tundzha river during a celebration for Epiphany Day in the town of Kalofer, Bulgaria January 6, 2016. (Photo by Stoyan Nenov/Reuters)

Bulgarian men dance in the icy waters of the Tundzha river during a celebration for Epiphany Day in the town of Kalofer, Bulgaria January 6, 2016. (Photo by Stoyan Nenov/Reuters)



Bulgarian men dance in the icy waters of the Tundzha river during a celebration for Epiphany Day in the town of Kalofer, Bulgaria January 6, 2016. (Photo by Stoyan Nenov/Reuters)

Bulgarian men dance in the icy waters of the Tundzha river during a celebration for Epiphany Day in the town of Kalofer, Bulgaria January 6, 2016. (Photo by Stoyan Nenov/Reuters)



A man holds the holy cross as Bulgarians sing and dance in the icy waters of the Tundzha river, as they celebrate Epiphany day in the town of Kalofer, Wednesday, January 6, 2016. Traditionally, an Eastern Orthodox priest throws a cross into the river and it is believed that the one who retrieves it will be healthy through the year. (Photo by Valentina Petrova/AP Photo)

A man holds the holy cross as Bulgarians sing and dance in the icy waters of the Tundzha river, as they celebrate Epiphany day in the town of Kalofer, Wednesday, January 6, 2016. Traditionally, an Eastern Orthodox priest throws a cross into the river and it is believed that the one who retrieves it will be healthy through the year. (Photo by Valentina Petrova/AP Photo)



People perform the national dance 'Horo' holding national flags in the icy waters of the river in the town of Kalofer some 150 km from Sofia, Bulgaria, during celebrations of the Epiphany day on 06 January 2016. Epiphany is a Christian feast that celebrates the arrival of the Three Wise Men with their gifts for the infant Jesus. (Photo by Vassil Donev/EPA)

People perform the national dance 'Horo' holding national flags in the icy waters of the river in the town of Kalofer some 150 km from Sofia, Bulgaria, during celebrations of the Epiphany day on 06 January 2016. Epiphany is a Christian feast that celebrates the arrival of the Three Wise Men with their gifts for the infant Jesus. (Photo by Vassil Donev/EPA)



Participants take part in the traditional Three Kings swim alongside the medieval Charles bridge to commemorate Epiphany at the Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic, January 6, 2016. (Photo by David W. Cerny/Reuters)

Participants take part in the traditional Three Kings swim alongside the medieval Charles bridge to commemorate Epiphany at the Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic, January 6, 2016. (Photo by David W. Cerny/Reuters)



Participants take part in the traditional Three Kings swim alongside the medieval Charles bridge to commemorate Epiphany at the Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic, January 6, 2016. (Photo by David W. Cerny/Reuters)

Participants take part in the traditional Three Kings swim alongside the medieval Charles bridge to commemorate Epiphany at the Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic, January 6, 2016. (Photo by David W. Cerny/Reuters)



Participants prepare for the traditional Three Kings swim to commemorate Epiphany at the Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic, January 6, 2016. (Photo by David W. Cerny/Reuters)

Participants prepare for the traditional Three Kings swim to commemorate Epiphany at the Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic, January 6, 2016. (Photo by David W. Cerny/Reuters)



Participants prepare for the traditional Three Kings swim to commemorate Epiphany at the Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic, January 6, 2016. (Photo by David W. Cerny/Reuters)

Participants prepare for the traditional Three Kings swim to commemorate Epiphany at the Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic, January 6, 2016. (Photo by David W. Cerny/Reuters)



Pilgrims jump into the water to retrieve a cross during an Epiphany ceremony to bless the water in Mytilene port on the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, Wednesday, January 6, 2016. Similar ceremonies to mark Epiphany Day were held across Greece at the sea, rivers, lakes and dams. An Orthodox priest throws a cross into the water and the swimmers race to retrieve it first. (Photo by Santi Palacios/AP Photo)

Pilgrims jump into the water to retrieve a cross during an Epiphany ceremony to bless the water in Mytilene port on the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, Wednesday, January 6, 2016. Similar ceremonies to mark Epiphany Day were held across Greece at the sea, rivers, lakes and dams. An Orthodox priest throws a cross into the water and the swimmers race to retrieve it first. (Photo by Santi Palacios/AP Photo)



Orthodox faithful jump to catch a wooden crucifix thrown by Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, Ieronimos (not pictured) during Epiphany day celebrations in the southern suburb of Faliro in Athens, Greece, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters)

Orthodox faithful jump to catch a wooden crucifix thrown by Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, Ieronimos (not pictured) during Epiphany day celebrations in the southern suburb of Faliro in Athens, Greece, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters)



Orthodox faithful jump to catch a wooden crucifix thrown by Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, Ieronimos (not pictured) during Epiphany day celebrations in the southern suburb of Faliro in Athens, Greece, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters)

Orthodox faithful jump to catch a wooden crucifix thrown by Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, Ieronimos (not pictured) during Epiphany day celebrations in the southern suburb of Faliro in Athens, Greece, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters)



An Orthodox faithful kisses a wooden crucifix retrieved from the water by Russian Andreas Pyetakov (R) during Epiphany day celebrations in the southern suburb of Faliro in Athens, Greece, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters)

An Orthodox faithful kisses a wooden crucifix retrieved from the water by Russian Andreas Pyetakov (R) during Epiphany day celebrations in the southern suburb of Faliro in Athens, Greece, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters)



Orthodox faithful hold a wooden crucifix thrown by Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, Ieronimos (not pictured) during Epiphany day celebrations in the southern suburb of Faliro in Athens, Greece, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters)

Orthodox faithful hold a wooden crucifix thrown by Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, Ieronimos (not pictured) during Epiphany day celebrations in the southern suburb of Faliro in Athens, Greece, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Alkis Konstantinidis/Reuters)



Vassilis Konstantinidis, 19, prepares to catch a wooden crucifix during Epiphany day celebrations in Thessaloniki, Greece, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Alexandros Avramidis/Reuters)

Vassilis Konstantinidis, 19, prepares to catch a wooden crucifix during Epiphany day celebrations in Thessaloniki, Greece, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Alexandros Avramidis/Reuters)



A boy prepares to kiss a wooden crucifix during Epiphany day celebrations in Thessaloniki, Greece, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Alexandros Avramidis/Reuters)

A boy prepares to kiss a wooden crucifix during Epiphany day celebrations in Thessaloniki, Greece, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Alexandros Avramidis/Reuters)



A worshipper lights candles as she attends a Christmas service according to the Eastern Orthodox calendar, in the church of Nativity in the West Bank city of Bethlehem January 6, 2016. (Photo by Ammar Awad/Reuters)

A worshipper lights candles as she attends a Christmas service according to the Eastern Orthodox calendar, in the church of Nativity in the West Bank city of Bethlehem January 6, 2016. (Photo by Ammar Awad/Reuters)



An actors dressed as Grandfather Frost, Russian Santa Claus, rides past a kiosk selling T-shirts with a portrait of the Russian President Vladimir Putin during celebrations for the upcoming Orthodox Christmas at a Christmas market in St.Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, January 6, 2016. The sign on the T-shirt signs 'The most polite man'. (Photo by Dmitry Lovetsky/AP Photo)

An actors dressed as Grandfather Frost, Russian Santa Claus, rides past a kiosk selling T-shirts with a portrait of the Russian President Vladimir Putin during celebrations for the upcoming Orthodox Christmas at a Christmas market in St.Petersburg, Russia, Wednesday, January 6, 2016. The sign on the T-shirt signs 'The most polite man'. (Photo by Dmitry Lovetsky/AP Photo)



Hieromonch Nikandr is reflected in an icon as he prays inside a church located in a compound of the Uspensky male monastery, during preparations for the Orthodox Christmas night service in the vicinity of the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, January 6, 2016. Most Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar on January 7, two weeks after most western Christian churches that abide by the Gregorian calendar. (Photo by Ilya Naymushin/Reuters)

Hieromonch Nikandr is reflected in an icon as he prays inside a church located in a compound of the Uspensky male monastery, during preparations for the Orthodox Christmas night service in the vicinity of the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, January 6, 2016. Most Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas according to the Julian calendar on January 7, two weeks after most western Christian churches that abide by the Gregorian calendar. (Photo by Ilya Naymushin/Reuters)



A boy holds a candle inside the church "Vsetsaritsa" located in a compound of the Uspensky male monastery, on the eve of Orthodox Christmas in the vicinity of the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Ilya Naymushin/Reuters)

A boy holds a candle inside the church "Vsetsaritsa" located in a compound of the Uspensky male monastery, on the eve of Orthodox Christmas in the vicinity of the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Ilya Naymushin/Reuters)



A bell ringer performs before an evening service as monks and priests remove snow in a compound of the Uspensky male monastery, during preparations for the Orthodox Christmas night service in the vicinity of the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Ilya Naymushin/Reuters)

A bell ringer performs before an evening service as monks and priests remove snow in a compound of the Uspensky male monastery, during preparations for the Orthodox Christmas night service in the vicinity of the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Ilya Naymushin/Reuters)



A view through a frosty fog shows the Uspensky male monastery, with the air temperature at about minus 26 degrees Celsius (minus 14.8 degrees Fahrenheit) on the eve of Orthodox Christmas in the vicinity of the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Ilya Naymushin/Reuters)

A view through a frosty fog shows the Uspensky male monastery, with the air temperature at about minus 26 degrees Celsius (minus 14.8 degrees Fahrenheit) on the eve of Orthodox Christmas in the vicinity of the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Ilya Naymushin/Reuters)



A monk removes snow in a compound of the Uspensky male monastery during preparations for the Orthodox Christmas night service in the vicinity of the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Ilya Naymushin/Reuters)

A monk removes snow in a compound of the Uspensky male monastery during preparations for the Orthodox Christmas night service in the vicinity of the Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, Russia, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Ilya Naymushin/Reuters)



Believers burn dried oak branches, which symbolizes the Yule log, on Orthodox Christmas Eve in front of the St. Sava temple in Belgrade, Serbia, January 6, 2016. Serbian Orthodox believers celebrate Christmas on January 7, according to the Julian calendar. (Photo by Marko Djurica/Reuters)

Believers burn dried oak branches, which symbolizes the Yule log, on Orthodox Christmas Eve in front of the St. Sava temple in Belgrade, Serbia, January 6, 2016. Serbian Orthodox believers celebrate Christmas on January 7, according to the Julian calendar. (Photo by Marko Djurica/Reuters)



Believers burn dried oak branches, which symbolizes the Yule log, on Orthodox Christmas Eve in front of the St. Sava temple in Belgrade, Serbia, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Marko Djurica/Reuters)

Believers burn dried oak branches, which symbolizes the Yule log, on Orthodox Christmas Eve in front of the St. Sava temple in Belgrade, Serbia, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Marko Djurica/Reuters)



Believers burn dried oak branches, which symbolizes the Yule log, on Orthodox Christmas Eve in front of the St. Sava temple in Belgrade, Serbia, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Marko Djurica/Reuters)

Believers burn dried oak branches, which symbolizes the Yule log, on Orthodox Christmas Eve in front of the St. Sava temple in Belgrade, Serbia, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Marko Djurica/Reuters)



Believers burn dried oak branches, which symbolizes the Yule log, on Orthodox Christmas Eve in front of the St. Sava temple in Belgrade, Serbia, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Marko Djurica/Reuters)

Believers burn dried oak branches, which symbolizes the Yule log, on Orthodox Christmas Eve in front of the St. Sava temple in Belgrade, Serbia, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Marko Djurica/Reuters)



Serbian partiarch Irinej walks in front of the St. Sava temple on Orthodox Christmas Eve in Belgrade, Serbia, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Marko Djurica/Reuters)

Serbian partiarch Irinej walks in front of the St. Sava temple on Orthodox Christmas Eve in Belgrade, Serbia, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Marko Djurica/Reuters)



Believers burn dried oak branches, which symbolizes the Yule log, on Orthodox Christmas Eve in front of the St. Sava temple in Belgrade, Serbia, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Marko Djurica/Reuters)

Believers burn dried oak branches, which symbolizes the Yule log, on Orthodox Christmas Eve in front of the St. Sava temple in Belgrade, Serbia, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Marko Djurica/Reuters)



A woman kisses a candle before joining Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians, for an Epiphany ceremony at the Patriarchate in Istanbul, Wednesday, January 6, 2016. The traditional Epiphany ceremony marks the Epithany in Istanbul when Bartholomew I or an Orthodox priest throws a simple wooden cross into the water to bless the water at the Golden Horn and swimmers race to be the first to retrieve it. (Photo by Emrah Gurel/AP Photo)

A woman kisses a candle before joining Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians, for an Epiphany ceremony at the Patriarchate in Istanbul, Wednesday, January 6, 2016. The traditional Epiphany ceremony marks the Epithany in Istanbul when Bartholomew I or an Orthodox priest throws a simple wooden cross into the water to bless the water at the Golden Horn and swimmers race to be the first to retrieve it. (Photo by Emrah Gurel/AP Photo)



Greek Orthodox faithful wait for the Greek Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I (not pictured) to throw a wooden crucifix into the Golden Horn in Istanbul, Turkey, January 6, 2016. Greek Orthodox faithful swam to retrieve the wooden crucifix thrown by Greek Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I into the Golden Horn in Bosphorus during Epiphany Day celebrations. (Photo by Murad Sezer/Reuters)

Greek Orthodox faithful wait for the Greek Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I (not pictured) to throw a wooden crucifix into the Golden Horn in Istanbul, Turkey, January 6, 2016. Greek Orthodox faithful swam to retrieve the wooden crucifix thrown by Greek Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I into the Golden Horn in Bosphorus during Epiphany Day celebrations. (Photo by Murad Sezer/Reuters)



Greek Orthodox faithful wait for the Greek Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I (not pictured) to throw a wooden crucifix into the Golden Horn in Istanbul, Turkey, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Murad Sezer/Reuters)

Greek Orthodox faithful wait for the Greek Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I (not pictured) to throw a wooden crucifix into the Golden Horn in Istanbul, Turkey, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Murad Sezer/Reuters)



Greek Orthodox believers jump into the waters of the Bosphorus to race for a wooden cross thrown into the river during the Epiphany Day ceremony in Istanbul, Turkey, 06 January 2016. Greek Orthodox swimmers take part in an annual race to retrieve a wooden crucifix thrown into the Bosphorus waters at the Golden Horn. (Photo by Sedat Suna/EPA)

Greek Orthodox believers jump into the waters of the Bosphorus to race for a wooden cross thrown into the river during the Epiphany Day ceremony in Istanbul, Turkey, 06 January 2016. Greek Orthodox swimmers take part in an annual race to retrieve a wooden crucifix thrown into the Bosphorus waters at the Golden Horn. (Photo by Sedat Suna/EPA)



Greek Orthodox faithful Nikolas Solis, 28, a pilgrim from Agrinio of Greece, kisses a wooden crucifix in the Golden Horn in Istanbul, Turkey, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Murad Sezer/Reuters)

Greek Orthodox faithful Nikolas Solis, 28, a pilgrim from Agrinio of Greece, kisses a wooden crucifix in the Golden Horn in Istanbul, Turkey, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Murad Sezer/Reuters)



Citizens of Warsaw  participate  at the Epiphany parade   in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, January 6, 2016. The Epiphany day celebrates the visit of the Three Kings to the infant Jesus. (Photo by Czarek Sokolowski/AP Photo)

Citizens of Warsaw participate at the Epiphany parade in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, January 6, 2016. The Epiphany day celebrates the visit of the Three Kings to the infant Jesus. (Photo by Czarek Sokolowski/AP Photo)



Citizens of Warsaw watchingthe Epiphany parade   in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Czarek Sokolowski/AP Photo)

Citizens of Warsaw watchingthe Epiphany parade in Warsaw, Poland, Wednesday, January 6, 2016. (Photo by Czarek Sokolowski/AP Photo)
08 Jan 2016 08:00:00