Russian president Vladimir Putin braves subzero lake to mark Orthodox Epiphany

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Vladimir Putin has joined millions of Orthodox believers by plunging bare-chested into icy waters in a Russian tradition to mark the Epiphany. Surrounded by priests and glittering religious icons, and braving subzero temperatures, the president lowered himself into Lake Seliger, 220 miles (350km) north-west of Moscow. It is the first time the 65-year-old, who has often posed topless on wilderness expeditions, has taken part publicly in the ritual