Christians Celebrate Epiphany And Christmas In Istanbul

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - JANUARY 6: Greek Orthodox Christians jump into the Golden Horn to retrieve a wooden cross thrown by Patriarch Bartholomew I, on January 6, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey. Each year, the Greek Orthodox community celebrates the Epiphany with a mass at the Patriarchate in Istanbul, followed by a traditional icy swim in the cold waters of the Golden Horn, where dozens of swimmers race to retrieve a wooden cross thrown by the leader of the world's Orthodox Christians. (Footage by Helene Franchineau/Getty Images)