A great epiphany
Sofia, Bulgaria
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In the Bulgarian capital of Sofia, crowds of men wearing little more than swimming trunks dive into a freezing lake in hopes of catching a wooden cross that has been thrown into its chilly waters. Although you might have to be hardy to take part, this is not an extreme sport, but a religious ritual marking the Feast of the Epiphany, which is celebrated by orthodox Christians in countries around the world. Believers hope that catching the cross will bring them health and prosperity.
