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117 People Hospitalized After Drinking Holy Water |
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Written by Glenn Rosenberg
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Monday, 25 January 2010 |
Authorities in Siberia say more than 100 Russian Orthodox believers
have been hospitalized after drinking holy water during Epiphany
celebrations in the eastern city of Irkutsk.
A spokesman for local investigators told The Associated Press on Monday
that 117 people, including 48 children, are in the hospital complaining
of acute intestinal pain after drinking water from wells around a local
church last week.
Vladimir Salovarov says a total of 204 people required some medical
treatment. Salovarov said is too early to say what caused the illness.
Many Russians consider any water obtained on Epiphany — which they celebrate on Jan. 19 — to be holy.
The water is typically bottled for consumption later. Tap water in most of Russia is undrinkable.
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