Tens of thousands of Russians in and around...

A district official said the lake, the largest in the area, is visited by thousands of believers on Epiphany every year.

"This place is surrounded by a lot of legends. It was the most popular place for Epiphany bathing in Moscow last year. I think the situation will be similar this year," Andrei Ivanov said.

Legend has it that there was a wooden church surrounded by thick forest which sank into the ground accompanied by sounds of spiritual singing to form a lake deterring the advance of Tatar hordes.

Many people believe any water - even from the taps on the kitchen sink - poured or bottled by Christians on Epiphany becomes holy. The water sanctified in churches is often stored by believers for long periods.

MOSCOW, January 18 (RIA Novosti)