Orthodox Christians mark Epiphany with river plunge despite Covid warnings

Dozens of citizens of the mountain town of Kalofer, in central Bulgaria, clad in traditional clothes stand in the icy Tundzha River (Valentina Petrova/AP)

Thousands of Orthodox Christian worshippers in Bulgaria have ignored warnings to abstain from mass gatherings due to the coronavirus pandemic and taken part in centuries-old Epiphany traditions.

Young men plunged into the icy waters of rivers and lakes across Bulgaria to retrieve crucifixes tossed by priests in ceremonies commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ.