Epiphany (holiday)

Epiphany is a special Christian feast day celebrated on January 6. It remembers important events in the story of Jesus, like the visit of the Magi, Jesus' baptism in the River Jordan, and the wedding at Cana where Jesus turned water into wine.

In Western Christianity, Epiphany mainly celebrates the visit of the three wise men to the baby Jesus. It is also called Three Kings' Day or sometimes Little Christmas. In Eastern Christianity, the focus is on Jesus' baptism, and it is known as the Feast of the Theophany.

People celebrate Epiphany in many ways, such as singing special songs, chalking their doors, having their homes blessed, eating Three Kings Cake, and even going swimming in cold winter water. Many Christians take down their Christmas decorations on the evening before Epiphany, called Twelfth Night, although in some places they wait until Candlemas to do so.

Etymology

The word Epiphany comes from an ancient Greek word meaning "manifestation" or "appearance." It was used to describe special moments, like when a god showed themselves to someone. In the Bible, this word describes important events related to Jesus, such as his birth or when he appeared after coming back to life.

Different cultures have their own names for this celebration. In Egypt, it is called Eid al-Ghitas in Arabic.

History

Early history

Epiphany may have started in the eastern part of the Roman Empire as a celebration to honor the baptism of Jesus. Around the year 200, a writer named Clement of Alexandria mentioned that some people celebrated this day and spent the night before reading special stories.

The earliest mention of Epiphany as a Christian holiday was in the year 361 by Ammianus Marcellinus. Over time, Epiphany came to include celebrations of Jesus' birth, the visit of the Magi, and his baptism by John the Baptist.

In the Western Church, the focus was on the visit of the Magi, representing people from all over the world. This was seen as a special moment showing Jesus to everyone.

Modern period

In the Latin Church, Epiphany is celebrated beginning on January 6. In 1955, changes were made to the way these holidays were observed, and in 1969, further updates were made to the calendar. This separated some of the celebrations, such as the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which is now observed on a different day.

Before 1976, Anglican churches also had special celebrations starting on January 6.

Epiphany by Christian tradition

Epiphany is a special Christian holiday celebrated by both Eastern and Western Churches. The main difference is which events they focus on. Western Christians mainly remember the visit of the Three Wise Men to the baby Jesus. Eastern Christians celebrate Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River. Both traditions celebrate Jesus showing himself to the world.

In the Catholic Church, Epiphany is observed on January 6 or sometimes moved to a Sunday between January 2 and January 8, depending on the country. This date affects when other holidays are celebrated. For example, the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord is always the Sunday after January 6 if Epiphany is on that date.

In Protestant churches like Lutheran, Anglican, and Methodist traditions, Epiphany can be celebrated on January 6, the following Sunday, or another day based on local customs. Some churches have a special twelve-day period called Christmastide that ends on January 5, followed by the Epiphany season.

Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate Epiphany, also called Theophany, on January 6. Some churches use the Julian calendar, so their January 6 falls on January 19 in the Gregorian calendar we commonly use today. This holiday focuses on Jesus' baptism and is one of the most important feasts in the Orthodox Church. It includes special blessings of water and other ceremonies to remember this event.

Music

Classical

In Leipzig, Johann Sebastian Bach wrote two special songs called cantatas for the Epiphany feast: Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen, BWV 65, in 1724, and Liebster Immanuel, Herzog der Frommen, BWV 123, in 1725.

Part VI of his Christmas Oratorio, Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben, was also meant to be sung during Epiphany services.

The first three parts of Felix Mendelssohn's oratorio Christus are sometimes performed at Epiphany because they talk about the Magi and the Star of Bethlehem.

In Ottorino Respighi's music piece Roman Festivals, the last part is called "Bofana" and happens during Epiphany.

Carols and hymns

"Nun liebe Seel, nun ist es Zeit" is a German hymn about Epiphany by Georg Weissel, first printed in 1642.

Two well-known Christmas carols are linked with Epiphany: "As with Gladness Men of Old", written by William Chatterton Dix in 1860, and "We Three Kings of Orient Are", written by the Reverend John Henry Hopkins Jr. in 1857.

Another hymn is "Songs of thankfulness and praise", written by Christopher Wordsworth and often sung to music by Charles Steggall.

A carol used for Epiphany is "The Three Kings".

National and local customs

See also: Epiphany bathing

Epiphany is celebrated in many different ways around the world. In some places, decorations from Christmas, like greenery and nativity scenes, are taken down. In others, they stay up until a later date called Candlemas on February 2. In countries influenced by Western Christianity, such as Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, people often give gifts, eat special cakes called king cakes, and celebrate the end of the Christmas season. In Orthodox Christian countries, important traditions include blessing water, performing baptismal rites, and blessing homes.

Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay

In Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, the holiday is called Día de Reyes (The Day of Kings), remembering the Biblical Magi who visited Jesus. On the night of January 5, children leave shoes out with grass and water for the Magi’s camels. In the morning, they hope to find gifts in their shoes. On January 6, they eat a special cake called Rosca de Reyes.

Assyrians in Iraq and Syria

Assyrian Christians in Iraq celebrate Epiphany, called Etha de Denha, by splashing water at each other to remember Jesus’s baptism.

Bulgaria

In Bulgaria, Epiphany is known as Bogoyavlenie or Yordanovden. A priest throws a cross into water, and men dive in to retrieve it for good luck.

Benelux

In Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, Epiphany is called Driekoningen or Dreikönigstag. Children dress up as the Three Wise Men and go from house to house singing songs and receiving treats. They often find a hidden bean in a special cake to decide who is king or queen for the day.

Brazil

In Brazil, the holiday is called Dia dos Reis. It is celebrated on January 6 with music, sweets, and regional dishes, marking the end of the Christmas season.

Chile

In Chile, it is sometimes called Día de los Tres Reyes Magos or La Pascua de los Negros.

Dominican Republic

In the Dominican Republic, it is called Día de los Tres Reyes Magos. Children receive gifts, and traditions mix with North American customs like Santa Claus.

Egypt

In Egypt, the holiday is called Eid al-Ghitas and celebrated by the Coptic Orthodox Church. It includes blessing waters used throughout the year in church celebrations.

England

In England, the night before Epiphany is called Twelfth Night. Traditions include plays, special cakes, and keeping the Yule log burning.

Ethiopia and Eritrea

In Ethiopia and Eritrea, the holiday is called Timkat and includes blessing water and processions with a sacred item called the Tabot.

Finland

In Finland, Epiphany is called loppiainen. The Christmas tree is taken down, and traditions include special cakes and extending Christmas celebrations.

Francophone Europe

In France and Belgium, people eat special cakes called galette des Rois or gâteau des Rois with a hidden charm inside. The person who finds the charm becomes king or queen for the day.

German-speaking Europe

In Germany, Austria, and parts of Switzerland, young people dress as the Three Wise Men and go from house to house singing songs and collecting donations. They also bless homes with chalk.

Greece, Cyprus

In Greece and Cyprus, the holiday is called Phōta and includes the Great Blessing of the Waters, where a cross is thrown into water for good luck.

Guadeloupe Islands

In Guadeloupe, Epiphany marks the start of Carnival, which continues until before Ash Wednesday.

Hungary

In Hungary, traditions include taking down Christmas trees and performing house blessings with chalk and holy water.

India

In parts of India, Epiphany is celebrated with processions and special events, especially in Goa and Kerala.

Ireland

In Ireland, Epiphany is called Nollaig na mBan (Women’s Christmas), where women traditionally gather and celebrate after the busy Christmas season.

Italy

In Italy, the holiday features the Befana, a witch-like figure who brings gifts to children on Epiphany Eve.

Jordan

In Jordan, thousands visit Al-Maghtas, a holy site believed to be where Jesus was baptized.

Latvia

In Latvia, Epiphany is called Trijkungu diena or Zvaigznes diena, with traditions like star singing and special apple cakes.

Lebanon

In Lebanon, Epiphany is celebrated with church services and special foods, remembering Jesus’s mission.

North Macedonia

In North Macedonia, Epiphany is called Vodici, where a priest throws a cross into water, and men dive in to retrieve it for blessings.

Malta

In Malta, Epiphany is called It-Tre Re. Children enjoy school holidays, and there are special concerts and traditions like eating honey rings.

Mexico

In Mexico, the holiday is called Día de Reyes. Families eat special cakes and add figurines of the Three Wise Men to nativity scenes on January 5.

Peru

In Peru, Epiphany traditions include taking down nativity scenes and celebrating with parties.

Philippines

In the Philippines, Epiphany is called Pasko ng Matatanda (Feast of the Elderly) and marks the end of the Christmas season with feasting and gift-giving.

Poland

In Poland, Epiphany is called Trzech Króli (Three Kings). There are big parades with people dressed as the Wise Men, and children receive blessed chalk and other items to protect their homes.

Portugal

In Portugal, Epiphany is called Dia de Reis. Families enjoy special cakes and traditional dances, and children participate in singing and receiving treats.

Romania and Moldova

In Romania and Moldova, Epiphany is called Boboteaza. Men race horses after blessing them with holy water, and there are many festive celebrations.

Russia

In Russia, Epiphany involves the Great Blessing of the Waters, where a cross is immersed in water to make it holy. People often dip into ice holes in lakes and rivers for spiritual renewal.

Slovenia

In Slovenia, children go from house to house on Epiphany, receiving treats like almonds and cookies.

Spain

In Spain, Epiphany is called El Día de los Reyes Magos. Children leave shoes out for gifts, and there are colorful parades with the Three Wise Men giving out sweets and toys.

Sweden

In Sweden, Epiphany is a public holiday called trettondedag jul, the thirteenth day after Christmas Eve.

United States

In Louisiana, Epiphany starts the Carnival season with special cakes called King Cakes. In Tarpon Springs, Florida, there is a celebration where a cross is thrown into water, and young men dive to retrieve it for a year of good luck.

Wales

In Wales, Epiphany is called Ystwyll. Traditions include dividing a special cake to elect a king or queen and various customs to ensure a good harvest.