On the Feast of Baptism you can swim in an ice hole in one of the most ecologically clean places in the region - the village of Merkushino, Verkhotursky district, located among the taiga. A large cross-shaped font was cut in Tours near the local church. The size of the font, located 20 meters from the shore, is three by three meters.

The font is organized under the supervision of the sisters of the Novo-Tikhvinsky convent, whose farmstead is in the village of Merkushino. The taiga font is popular. According to the sisters' forecasts, in it, as in past years, at least 500 people.

The font is equipped under the control of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, inside a hole for security is inserted a wooden box with a ladder, water in a font - around the neck of an adult. Next to the facilities is a tent 4 by 6 meters, heated by a stove, with female and male offices, clothes hangers and benches. At night, the road to the font is illuminated by temporary lanterns.

"We will be sanctifying the font on the Epiphany Christmas Eve, on January 18 after the morning service," the sisters say.. "It always happens very beautifully and solemnly:

a religious procession is going on from the church, with banners, the priest puts the cross in the ice hole three times, the sisters sing festive hymns".

Swim in the Merkushinsky font will be available from 18 to 21 January. For the safety of bathing, the outfit of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the doctor will be observed; employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations will also help to arrange cars on the streets of a small village, at least 300 people arrive at the Epiphany on the Epiphany.