Bulgarian horo in the cold waters of the Tundzha River in Kalofer as part of the Epiphany Day.

On 6 January the Bulgarian Orthodox Church celebrates Epiphany holiday. The holiday is known also as Jordan-day because, according to biblical legend on this day Jesus Christ was baptized in the River of Jordan by John the Baptist.

At this day the water is consecrated. After the church service the priest throws a cross into the river (or the sea/lake/etc.) and group of young men jump into the river to find it. It is believed that one who find it will be healthy and happy.

In some Bulgarian villages, men dipped into a local river and danced the horo, a traditional dance, despite the freezing temperatures.

In the mountain village of Kalofer, in central Bulgaria, scores of men in traditional dress waded into the icy Tundzha River carrying national flags.

Led by a drummer and several men playing the bagpipes, they danced in the freezing waters, pushing away floating chunks of ice.

Some sipped Slivovitz - Eastern European plum brandy - and red wine as an antidote to the freezing weather.

The tradition of jumping in the water for Epiphany is not exclusive to Bulgaria, with several other countries with strong ties to the Orthodox Church getting in the sea.