There is a popular Christian tradition on the feast of the Baptism of Jesus Christ to plunge into an ice-hole called "Jordan". On the night of Epiphany, many people strive to get to the river fonts and springs in order to swim in the icy water.
Despite the fact that in modern times many people practice bathing in the fonts on the feast of the Epiphany, one may ask: is it necessary for every Orthodox person to start such a practice? It is far from always possible to hear an affirmative answer.
Indeed, plunging into an ice-hole at the Baptism of the Lord is not prescribed by the church charter. This is a personal matter for each person. However, it is worth remembering that swimming in the ice hole is not just a tribute to tradition. An Orthodox person starts this practice not just to plunge into ice-cold water (otherwise it is no different from ordinary winter swimming). The hole is consecrated. The rite of the great consecration of water takes place on it. Therefore, a person is immersed in consecrated water.
Among popular superstitions there is an opinion that one can take a shower on the night of the Epiphany and get the same beneficial "effect" as from swimming in an ice-hole. However, this practice has no substantiation in Christianity, because water is holy where it is sanctified (if we are talking about holy haghiasm as consecrated water).
The main purpose of swimming in an ice-hole on the night of the Epiphany of the Lord (or during the day on the holiday itself) is the desire of a person to receive grace. Therefore, it is important to know that you can plunge into the feast of Epiphany only in the hole that was previously consecrated by the priest.
Some Orthodox people, for health reasons, cannot plunge into icy, albeit consecrated, water. Others are simply afraid of cold water. There is nothing wrong with that. An Orthodox person does not need to swim in the Jordan. However, if there is a desire, such a practice can very well be done.
