View source for Epiphany (holiday)

{{short description|Christian feast, public holiday in some countries}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox holiday
| holiday_name  = Epiphany
| type          = Christian
| image         = Edward Burne-Jones - The Adoration of the Magi - Google Art Project.jpg
| imagesize     = 
| caption       = ''[[The Adoration of the Magi]]'' by [[Edward Burne-Jones]] (1894)
| official_name = 
| nickname      = Baptism of Jesus, Three Kings Day, Denha, Little Christmas, Theophany, Timkat, Reyes, Uphalimass,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/ideas/2011/12/25/the-last-mas/K228DRgNwO6QeB1MQvjAUO/story.html | title=The last 'mas'| website=[[The Boston Globe]] |last1=McKean|first1=Erin|date=25 December 2011}}</ref> Eid al-Ghitas, Eid al-Qiddas
| observedby    = [[Christians]], [[Alawites]]<ref name="antakya1">{{cite web|access-date=25 January 2024|date=19 January 2024|language=tr|title=Bașkan Savaș'tan Kıddes Bayramı mesajı|url=https://antakyagazetesi.com/baskan-savastan-kiddes-bayrami-mesaji/|website=Antakya Gazetesi - Toplumcu Halk Gazetesi}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref><ref name="antakya2">{{cite web|access-date=25 January 2024|date=20 January 2023|first=Ümit|language=tr|last=Sağaltıcı|title=Kıddes Bayram, Tüm Cihana Mübarek Olsun!|url=https://www.samandagaynahaber.com/2023/01/20/kiddes-bayrami-tum-cihana-mubarek-olsun/|website=Samandağ Ayna Haber}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref><ref name="antakya3">{{cite web|access-date=25 January 2024|language=tr|title=Bugün, Kıddes Bayramı|url=https://www.iskenderunses.net/haber/bugun-kiddes-bayrami-3290.html|website=İskenderun Ses Gazetesi}}<!-- auto-translated by Module:CS1 translator --></ref>
| litcolor      = 
| longtype      = [[Church service]], [[winter swimming]], [[chalking the door]], [[house blessing]]s, [[Star singers|star singing]]
| significance  = {{plainlist|
* '''In Eastern Christianity and Alawism''': commemoration of the [[Baptism of the Lord|Baptism of Jesus]] only
* '''In Western Christianity''': commemoration of the [[Adoration of the Magi]], with subordinate commemorations of the [[Feast of the Baptism of the Lord|Baptism of Jesus]] and the [[Wedding at Cana]]
}}
| date          = {{plainlist|
* January 6 ([[Gregorian calendar]])
* January 19 (Gregorian equivalent of [[Julian calendar]] January 6)
* First Sunday after [[New Year's Day]] (some countries)
}}
| relatedto     = {{plainlist|
* [[Epiphanytide]]
* [[Christmastide]]
* [[Christmas]]
* [[Baptism of the Lord]]
* [[Nativity of Christ]]
* [[New Year's Day]]
}}
| frequency     = Annual
| duration      = 1 day
}}

'''Epiphany''' ({{IPAc-en|ə|ˈ|p|ɪ|f|ə|n|i}} {{Respell|ə|PIF|ə|nee}}), also known as "[[Theophany]]" in [[Eastern Christian]] tradition,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2012/01/byzantine-blessing-of-water-on-vigil-of.html |title=The Byzantine Blessing of Water on the Vigil of the Epiphany|first1=Gregory|last1=DiPippo|date=6 January 2012|website=New Liturgical Movement}}</ref> is a Christian [[feast day]] commemorating the [[Biblical Magi|visit of the Magi]], the [[baptism of Jesus]], and the [[wedding at Cana]].<ref name=CathIre/>

In [[Western Christianity]], the feast commemorates principally (but not solely) the [[Biblical Magi|visit of the Magi]] to the [[Christ Child]], and thus Jesus Christ's physical manifestation to the [[Gentile]]s.<ref name="Packer1893">{{Cite book |title=Our Calendar |last=Packer |first=George Nichols |publisher=Union and Advertiser Co. |year=1893 |page=110 |quote=The length of Christmastide or season is twelve days, lasting from the 25th of December to Epiphany. Epiphany (Greek ''Epiphania'', ''Theophania'' or ''Christophania''), is a festival in commemoration of the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the world as the Son of God, and referring to the appearance of the star which announced our Saviour's birth to the Gentiles, and the visit of the Magi, or Wise Men of the East to the infant Jesus. This festival is held on 6th January invariably, consequently is not a moveable feast, though the length of Epiphany-tide depends upon the date of Easter.}}</ref><ref name="SCJ">{{Cite web |url=http://www.stclementjames.org.uk/2013/12/23/epiphany-epiphanytide/ |title=Epiphany and Epiphanytide |date=December 23, 2013 |website=The Parish of St Clement and St James |publisher=[[The Church of England]] |access-date=December 15, 2014 |quote=The current pattern in the Anglican Church is to have an extended Epiphany season (called Epiphanytide). This is why Nativity scenes are sometimes kept in churches throughout January. Epiphanytide: Rather confusingly, however, the other two main 'manifestations' marked in Epiphanytide concern Jesus as an adult: his baptism in the River Jordan, when the Holy Spirit descends on him in the form of a dove (on the Sunday after Epiphany), and his first sign: the turning of water into wine at the marriage feast in Cana in Galilee. This latter event – the third 'epiphany' of the season – is only to be found in John's gospel. |archive-date=July 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714221827/http://www.stclementjames.org.uk/2013/12/23/epiphany-epiphanytide/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> It is sometimes called '''Three Kings' Day''', and in some traditions celebrated as [[Little Christmas]].<ref name="Heiligman2007">{{Cite book |title=Celebrate Christmas |last=Heiligman |first=Deborah |publisher=National Geographic |year=2007 |isbn=9781426301223 |page=27 |quote=At the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas comes a special day called the Epiphany, or Three Kings Day. This holiday, which falls on January 6th, is celebrated as the day when the three wise men, also called the three kings, first saw baby Jesus and gave him gifts.}}<!-- |access-date=September 22, 2015 --></ref> Moreover, the feast of the Epiphany, in some [[Christian denominations|denominations]], also initiates the liturgical season of [[Epiphanytide]].<ref name= UMPH>{{Cite journal |year=1963 |title=Epiphany |journal=Christian Advocate |publisher=United Methodist Publishing House |volume=7 |page=15 |quote=...in Methodist usage the Epiphany Season includes all the Sundays between that date and Ash Wednesday, which for 1964 will be February 12, the beginning of Lent.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |title=The Church Eclectic |publisher=The Young Churchman Co |year=1898 |volume=XXV |page=1089 |quote=The Provincial Synod established in 1883 the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the Church of England in Canada, framed largely upon the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society of the American Church. No concerted action had been taken by the Church in Canada till the formation of this society but by the regular issuing of appeals from the Board of Management each year, at Ascensiontide for Domestic, and at Epiphanytide for Foreign Missions, a certain amount of interest in the great question of missions has been created.}}</ref>

[[Eastern Christians]], on the other hand, commemorate the [[baptism of Jesus]] in the [[River Jordan]], seen as his manifestation to the world as the [[Son of God (Christianity)|Son of God]],<ref name=CathIre>{{Cite web |url=http://www.catholicireland.net/liturgysacraments/liturgical-year/936-the-origins-and-spirituality-of-the-epiphany |title=The Origins and Spirituality of the Epiphany |date=February 14, 1969 |publisher=Catholicireland.net |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127215401/http://www.catholicireland.net/liturgysacraments/liturgical-year/936-the-origins-and-spirituality-of-the-epiphany |archive-date=November 27, 2011 |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref> and celebrate it as the Feast of the Epiphany or of the Theophany. The traditional site of the ministry of [[John the Baptist]] is in [[Al-Maghtas]] in [[Jordan]], with the baptism of Jesus once marked in [[Timeline of Palestine#Byzantine period|Byzantine times]] by a cross in the middle of the Jordan River, between the Jordanian site and [[Qasr al-Yahud]] in the [[West Bank]].<ref name="unescobof" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=Baptism Site "Bethany Beyond the Jordan" (Al-Maghtas)|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1446/|access-date=September 1, 2021|website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre|language=en}}</ref>

The traditional date for the feast is January 6. However, since 1970 the celebration has been held in some countries on the Sunday after January 1. Those Eastern Churches that are still following the [[Julian calendar]] observe the feast on what, according to the internationally used [[Gregorian calendar]], is 19 January,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith7070 |title=The Calendar of the Orthodox Church |publisher=Goarch.org |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref> because of the current 13-day difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ortelius.de/kalender/jul_en.php |title=The Julian Calendar |last=Holger Oertel |date=September 22, 2007 |publisher=Ortelius.de |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103133103/http://www.ortelius.de/kalender/jul_en.php |archive-date=January 3, 2012 |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref> The [[Alawites]] and the [[Christianity in the Middle East|Middle Eastern Christians]] also observe the feast on January 19.<ref name="antakya1"/><ref name="antakya2"/><ref name="antakya3"/>

In many Western Churches, the [[Vigil (liturgy)|eve of the feast]] is celebrated as [[Twelfth Night (holiday)|Twelfth Night]] (Epiphany Eve) on January 5.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://fullhomelydivinity.org/articles/Twelve%20Days%20of%20Christmas.htm |title=Twelve days of Christmas |publisher=Full Homely Divinity |access-date=January 2, 2015 |quote=We prefer, like good Anglicans, to go with the logic of the liturgy and regard January 5th as the Twelfth Day of Christmas and the night that ends that day as Twelfth Night. That does make Twelfth Night the Eve of the Epiphany, which means that, liturgically, a new feast has already begun. |archive-date=March 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327163036/http://fullhomelydivinity.org/articles/Twelve%20Days%20of%20Christmas.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Presbyterians bring Twelfth Night |last=Funk |first=Tim |date=December 25, 2009 |website=[[The Charlotte Observer]] |quote=Christmas was a day to go to church – the simpler the service, the better, Todd says – and maybe have a quiet dinner with family. It was a slower time in the agricultural year, so there was an opportunity for some leisure. As long as you didn't overdo it. But even Scots-Irish Presbyterians had to have a little fun sometimes. The occasion to let go was Twelfth Night on Jan. 5 or 6. For Christians, it marks the arrival in Bethlehem of the Magi, or Three Wise Men.}}</ref> The Monday after Epiphany is known as [[Plough Monday]].<ref>[http://www.southwark.anglican.org/thebridge/1112/1112p5.pdf "The Bridge"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228034506/http://www.southwark.anglican.org/thebridge/1112/1112p5.pdf |date=December 28, 2013 }}. The Diocese of Southwark. Newsletter dated December 2011/January 2012.</ref>

Popular Epiphany customs include [[Star singers|Epiphany singing]], [[chalking the door]], [[House blessing|having one's house blessed]], consuming [[Three Kings Cake]], [[winter swimming]], as well as attending [[church service]]s.<ref name="PolonCantwell1983">{{Cite book |title=The Whole Earth Holiday Book |last1=Polon |first1=Linda |last2=Cantwell |first2=Aileen |publisher=Good Year Books |year=1983 |isbn=9780673165855 |page=97 |language=en}}</ref> It is customary for Christians in many localities to remove their [[Christmas decoration]]s on Epiphany Eve (Twelfth Night),<ref name="Learning">{{Cite book |title=A Study Guide for William Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" |publisher=[[Cengage Learning]] |year=2016 |isbn=9781410361349 |edition=2 |page=29 |language=en |quote=Twelfth Night saw people feasting and taking down Christmas decorations. The king cake is traditionally served in France and England on the Twelfth Night to commemorate the journey of the Magi to visit the Christ child.}}</ref> although those in other [[Christian state|Christian countries]] historically remove them on [[Candlemas]], the conclusion of Epiphanytide.<ref name="McGregor2023"/><ref name="Edworthy2008">{{Cite book |title=The Curious World of Christmas |last=Edworthy |first=Niall |year= 2008 |publisher=[[Penguin Group]] |isbn=9780399534577 |page=83 |language=en |quote=The time-honoured epoch for taking down Christmas decorations from Church and house in Candlemas Day, February 2nd. Terribly withered they are by that time. Candlemas in old times represented the end of the Christmas holidays, which, when "fine old leisure" reigned, were far longer than they are now.}}</ref><ref name="Roud2008">{{Cite book |title=The English Year |last=Roud |first=Steve |year= 2008 |publisher=Penguin Books Limited |isbn=9780141919270 |page=690 |language=en |quote=As indicated in Herrick's poem, quoted above, in the mid seventeenth century Christmas decorations were expected to stay in place until Candlemas (2 February), and this remained the norm until the nineteenth century.}}</ref> According to one seventeenth-century tradition, it is inauspicious to remove Christmas decorations before Epiphany Eve and those who do not remove them on that date have the opportunity to take them down on Candlemas.<ref name="McGregor2023">{{cite web |last1=McGregor |first1=Kate |title=It's Bad Luck To Take Your Tree Down Before January 6 |url=https://www.aol.com/bad-luck-tree-down-january-005700497.html |publisher=[[AOL]] |date=30 November 2023 |quote=According to the tradition of the 12 days of Christmas (explained above), January 6 is the earliest you should be taking down your Christmas tree. According to the legend, bad luck will befall those who stop the Christmas cheer any earlier.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://metro.co.uk/2016/12/31/when-is-twelfth-night-and-what-does-it-mean-6353917/ |title=When is Twelfth Night and what does it mean? |last=Groome |first=Imogen |date=December 31, 2016 |publisher=[[Metro (British newspaper)|Metro]] |access-date=January 7, 2017 |quote=Twelfth Night 2017 is on Thursday 5 January, which is when we're meant to put away our Christmas decorations or there'll be bad luck in the year ahead. If you miss the date, some believe it's necessary to keep decorations up until Candlemas on 2 February – or you'll definitely have a rubbish year.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/candlemas.shtml |title=Candlemas |work=BBC |access-date=April 9, 2014 |quote=Any Christmas decorations not taken down by Twelfth Night (January 5th) should be left up until Candlemas Day and then taken down.}}</ref>

==Etymology==
The word Epiphany is from [[Koine Greek]] ἐπιφάνεια, ''epipháneia'', meaning manifestation or appearance. It is derived from the verb φαίνειν, ''phainein'', meaning ‘to appear’.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=epiphany&searchmode=none |title=Online Etymological Dictionary |publisher=Etymonline.com |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref> In classical Greek it was used for the appearance of dawn, of an enemy in war, but especially of a manifestation of a deity to a worshipper (a [[theophany]]). In the [[Septuagint]] the word is used of a manifestation of the God of Israel ({{Bibleverse|2|Maccabees|15:27}}).<ref name=Blue/> In the New Testament the word is used in {{Bibleverse|2|Timothy|1:10}} to refer either to the birth of Christ or to his appearance after his resurrection, and five times to refer to his [[Second Coming]].<ref name="Blue">{{Cite web |url=http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G2015&t=KJV |title=Lexicon |publisher=Blue Letter Bible |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref>

Alternative names for the feast in [[Greek language|Greek]] include τα Θεοφάνια, ''ta Theophánia'', ‘Theophany’ (a neuter plural rather than feminine singular), η Ημέρα των Φώτων, ''i Iméra ton Fóton'' (modern Greek pronunciation), ‘The Day of the Lights’, and τα Φώτα, ''ta Fóta'', ‘The Lights’.<ref>Cf. {{Cite web |url=https://outreachjudaism.org/coping-with-christmas/ |title=History of the Christian Church, Volume II: Ante-Nicene Christianity. A.D. 100–325. § 64. The Epiphany |last=Schaff |first=Philip |date=April 28, 2014 |publisher=Christian Classics Etheral Library |access-date=January 21, 2018}}</ref>

In Egypt, it is called ''Eid al-Ghitas'' ([[Arabic]]: عيد الغِطاس).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Makary |first=Marina |date=2023-01-17 |title=Why do Coptic Christians in Egypt Eat Taro on Feast of the Epiphany?|publisher= Egyptian Streets |url=https://egyptianstreets.com/2023/01/17/why-do-coptic-christians-in-egypt-eat-taro-on-feast-of-the-epiphany/ |access-date=2025-01-06 |language=en-US}}</ref>

==History==
=== Early history ===
[[File:Magi (1).jpg|thumb|The [[Biblical Magi|Three Magi]]: Balthasar, Melchior, and Gaspar, from a late-6th-century [[mosaic]] at the [[Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo]] in [[Ravenna]], Italy]]
[[File:7222 Adoración de los Reyes Magos.jpg|thumbnail|''[[Adoration of the Magi]]'' by [[El Greco]] (1568, [[Museo Soumaya]], [[Mexico City]])]]
[[File:Nova stalna postavka Narodnog muzeja u Leskovcu 01.jpg|thumb|Holy (Epiphany) water vessel from 15th–16th centuries. It is found on [[Hisar Leskovac|Hisar]] near the town of [[Leskovac]], Serbia. Photographed in National museum of Leskovac.]]
[[File:Bartolomé Esteban Murillo - Adoration of the Magi - Google Art Project.jpg|thumb|''[[Adoration of the Magi]]'' by [[Bartolomé Esteban Murillo]] (17th century)]]

Epiphany may have originated in the Greek-speaking eastern half of the [[Roman Empire]] as a feast to honor the [[baptism of Jesus]]. Around 200, [[Clement of Alexandria]] wrote: {{blockquote|"But the followers of [the [[Gnosticism|early Christian Gnostic]] religious teacher] [[Basilides]] celebrate the day of His Baptism too, spending the previous night in readings. And they say that it was the 15th of the month [[Tybi]] of the 15th year of Tiberius Caesar. And some say that it was observed the 11th of the same month."|Clement of Alexandria (c. AD 200)}} The Egyptian dates given correspond to January 6 and 10.{{sfn|Martindale|1909}} The Basilides were a [[Gnostic]] sect.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

The reference to "readings" suggests that the Basilides were reading the [[Gospels]]. In ancient [[gospel manuscripts]], the text is arranged to indicate passages for liturgical readings. If a congregation began reading [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] at the beginning of the year, it might arrive at the story of the Baptism on January 6, thus explaining the date of the feast.<ref>{{cite web |last=Schmemann |first=Alexander |url=http://jbburnett.com/resources/Schmemann,%20Intro,%20122-125.pdf |title=The Pre-Constantinian Origins of the Church Year }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Carrington |first=Philip |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gTacCwAAQBAJ |title=The Primitive Christian Calendar |date=1952  |quote=In the secondary arrangement of Mark which is found in the non-B manuscripts, the Roman Year was followed. This arrangement would be the most natural way of explaining the origin of January 6 as a festival of the Baptism of Jesus. |page=71 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-316-60377-2 }}</ref> If Christians read Mark in the same format the Basilides did, the two groups could have arrived at the January 6 date independently.<ref>Carrington, "The 'heretical' festival of 'Epiphany' became a universal festival throughout the whole Christian world, commemorating both the Baptism and the Nativity of Jesus. It is hard to explain this as a world-wide imitation of the Basilides; it is quite easy to explain if the 48 (49)-lection arrangement of Mark was used as a Calendar fairly widely at one time." (p. 54).</ref>

The earliest reference to Epiphany as a Christian feast was in AD 361, by [[Ammianus Marcellinus]].<ref>Ammianus Marcellinus, XXI, ii</ref> The holiday is listed twice, which suggests a double feast of baptism and birth.{{sfn|Martindale|1909}} The [[baptism of Jesus]] was originally assigned to the same date as the birth because {{bibleverse|Luke|3:23|ESV}} was read to mean that Jesus was exactly 30 when he was baptized; it is said by many [[Church Fathers]] that Jesus was the age of 30, although not necessarily exactly that age.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Aquinas |first1=Thomas |last2=Parker |first2=John Henry |title=Catena Aurea |date=1841 |publisher=JGF and J Rivington |location=London}}</ref>

[[Epiphanius of Salamis]] says that January 6 is Christ's "Birthday; that is, His Epiphany" (''hemera genethlion toutestin epiphanion'').<ref>Epiphanius, ''[[Panarion]]'', li, 27, in [[Migne]], ''[[Patrologia Graecae]]'' (P.G.), XLI, 936 (where it is called by its Latin name: ''Adversus Haereses'')</ref> He also asserts that the [[Miracle at Cana]] occurred on the same calendar day.{{sfn|Epiphanius|loc=chapters xxviii and xxix P.G., XLI, 940 sq.}} Epiphanius assigns the Baptism to November 6.{{sfn|Martindale|1909}}

The scope to Epiphany expanded to include the commemoration of his birth; the visit of the [[Biblical magi|magi]], all of [[Jesus' childhood]] events, up to and including the Baptism by [[John the Baptist]]; and even the miracle at the wedding at Cana in [[Galilee]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Nicholas |last=Pokhilko |url=http://sites.google.com/site/historyofepiphany |title=History of Epiphany |quote=The birth of Christ, the story of the Magi, Christ's baptism, His divine manifestation, miracle at Cana, and the feeding of the crowds formed the festival of Epiphany on January 6 as indicated in earlier Alexandrian and Syrian traditions. }}</ref>

In the Latin-speaking West, the holiday emphasized the visit of the magi. The magi represented the non-Jewish peoples of the world, so this was considered a "revelation to the gentiles".<ref>Keener, ''Matthew'', 1997, (InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, USA), {{ISBN|0-8308-1801-4}}, page 65.</ref> In this event, Christian writers also inferred a revelation to the [[Children of Israel]]. [[John Chrysostom]] identified the significance of the meeting between the magi and [[Herod the Great|Herod]]'s court: {{blockquote|"The star had been hidden from them so that, on finding themselves without their guide, they would have no alternative but to consult the Jews. In this way the birth of Jesus would be made known to all."<ref>{{cite web |author=St John Chrysostom |url=http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/200107.htm  |title=Homily 7 on Matthew }}</ref>}}

Even before 354,<ref name="Pokhilko">{{Cite web |title=Nicholas Pokhilko, History of Epiphany |url=http://sites.google.com/site/historyofepiphany/ |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref> the Western Church had separated the celebration of the Nativity of Christ as the feast of [[Christmas]] and set its date as December 25; it reserved January 6 as a commemoration of the manifestation of Christ, especially to the Magi, but also at his baptism and at the wedding feast of Cana.<ref>"Today the Church has been joined to her heavenly bridegroom, since Christ has purified her of her sins in the river Jordan: the Magi hasten to the royal wedding and offer gifts: the wedding guests rejoice since Christ has changed water into wine, alleluia" (Benedictus antiphon, Liturgy of the Hours, Roman Rite). "Three wonders mark this day we celebrate: today the star led the Magi to the manger; today water was changed into wine at the marriage feast; today Christ desired to be baptized by John in the river Jordan to bring us salvation, alleluia" (Magnificat antiphon at Second Vespers, Liturgy of the Hours, Roman Rite).</ref>

In 385, the pilgrim [[Egeria (pilgrim)|Egeria]] (also known as Silvia) described a celebration in [[Jerusalem]] and [[Bethlehem]], which she called "Epiphany" that commemorated the Nativity.<ref>{{Citation |last=Egeria |title=Diary of a Pilgrimage, Chapter 26 |page=96 |publication-date=1970 |year=1970 |place=(tr. George E. Gingras) New York |publisher=[[Paulist Press]] |isbn=0-8091-0029-0 |author-link=Egeria (pilgrim)}}</ref> Even at this early date, there was an [[octave (liturgical)|octave]] associated with the feast. The Georgian Chantbook of Jerusalem compiled in the mid 6th century contains hymns for this feast<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Frøyshov |first=Stig Simeon |title=[Hymnography of the] Rite of Jerusalem |url=https://www.academia.edu/4874556 |journal=Canterbury Dictionary of Hymnology}}</ref> that were likely written between the time of Egeria and the turn of the 6th century.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Shoemaker |first=Stephen J. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1047578356 |title=The first Christian hymnal : the songs of the ancient Jerusalem church |date=2018 |isbn=978-1-944394-68-4 |location=Provo, Utah |pages=xiv-xv |oclc=1047578356}}</ref>

In a sermon delivered on December 25, 380, St. [[Gregory of Nazianzus]] referred to the day as "the Theophany" (''ta theophania'', formerly the name of a pagan festival at Delphi),<ref>Liddell & Scott</ref> saying expressly that it is a day commemorating "the holy nativity of Christ" and told his listeners that they would soon be celebrating the baptism of Christ.{{sfn|Migne|1858|p=312|loc=Oratio XXXVIII}} Then, on January 6 and 7, he preached two more sermons,{{sfn|Migne|1858|p=333|loc=Oratio XXXIX & XL}} in which he declared that the celebration of the birth of Christ and the visitation of the Magi had already taken place, and that they would now commemorate his Baptism.<ref>{{cite web |title=CHURCH FATHERS: Oration 38 (Gregory Nazianzen) |url=https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/310238.htm |website=www.newadvent.org}}</ref> At this time, celebration of the two events was beginning to be observed on separate occasions, at least in [[Cappadocia]].{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

Saint [[John Cassian]] says that even in his time (beginning of the 5th century), [[Coptic Orthodox Church|Egyptian]] [[monasteries]] celebrated the Nativity and the Baptism together on January 6.<ref>St. John Cassian, [http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/350810.htm ''Conferences'', X], 2, in Migne, ''[[Patrologia Latina]]'' (P.L.), XLIX; 820</ref> The [[Armenian Apostolic Church]] continues to celebrate January 6 as the only commemoration of the Nativity.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

=== Modern period ===
[[File:Epifania del Tallero 02.jpg|thumb|Epiphany celebration in [[Gemona del Friuli]], Italy]]

In the [[Latin Church]], from 1893 until 1955, Epiphany was celebrated as an eight-day feast, known as the Octave of Epiphany, beginning on January 6 and ending on January 13. The Sunday within that octave had been the feast of the [[Holy Family]], and Christmastide was reckoned as the twelve days ending on January 5, followed by the January 6–13 octave.  Before the 1969 revision of its liturgy, the Sundays following the Octave of Epiphany or, when this was abolished, following the Feast of the [[Baptism of the Lord]], which was instituted to take the place of the [[octave (liturgical)|Octave Day]] of Epiphany were named as the "Second (etc., up to Sixth) Sunday after Epiphany", as the at least 24 Sundays following [[Pentecost Sunday]] and [[Trinity Sunday]] were known as the "Second (etc.) Sunday after Pentecost". (If a year had more than 24 Sundays after Pentecost, up to four unused post-Epiphany Sundays were inserted between the 23rd and the 24th Sunday after Pentecost.) The ''Encyclopedia of Catholic Devotions and Practices'', which has received the [[imprimatur]] of [[John Michael D'Arcy]], with reference to Epiphanytide, thus states that "The Epiphany season extends from January 6 to Septuagesima Sunday, and has from one to six Sundays, according to the date of Easter. White is the color for the octave; green is the liturgical color for the season."<ref name="Ball2003">{{Cite book |last=Ball |first=Ann |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tjI9YQBFDGYC&pg=PA188 |title=Encyclopedia of Catholic Devotions and Practices |publisher=Our Sunday Visitor Publishing |year=2003 |isbn=9780879739102 |page=188 |language=en |access-date=December 9, 2015}}{{Dead link|date=January 2024|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

In 1955, [[Pope Pius XII]] abolished all but three liturgical [[octave (liturgical)|octaves]], and the 1969 revision of the [[General Roman Calendar]] instituted the modern system, which made the date variable to some extent.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the Calendar', 37 |url=http://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Calendar/Info/GNLY.pdf |access-date=June 18, 2018}}</ref> It also made the Feast of the Epiphany part of Christmas Time, which it defined as extending from the First Vespers of Christmas (the evening of December 24) up to and including the Sunday after Epiphany (the Sunday after January 6).<ref name="UNLY33">{{Cite web |title=''Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year'', 33 |url=http://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Calendar/Info/GNLY.pdf |access-date=June 18, 2018}}</ref>  In 1955 a separate feast of the [[Baptism of the Lord]] was also instituted, thus weakening further the connection in the West between the feast of the Epiphany and the commemoration of the baptism of Christ. (However, [[Hungarians]], in an apparent reference to baptism, refer to the January 6 celebration as ''Vízkereszt'', a term that recalls the words "víz" (water) and "kereszt, kereszt-ség" (baptism).)

Prior to 1976, Anglican churches observed an eight-day [[octave (liturgical)|octave]], beginning on January 6.

==Epiphany by Christian tradition==
[[File:Lstiboř, detail dveří fary.JPG|thumb|'''K † M † B † 2009''' written on a door of a rectory in a Czech village, to bless the house by Christ. Christians of various denominations, including Catholics, Lutherans and Anglicans practice the [[chalking the door]] on Epiphanytide.]]
Epiphany is celebrated by both the Eastern and Western Churches, but a major difference between them is precisely which events the feast commemorates. For Western Christians, the feast primarily commemorates the coming of the Magi, with only a minor reference to the baptism of Jesus and the miracle at the Wedding at Cana. Eastern churches celebrate the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan. In both traditions, the essence of the feast is the same: the manifestation of Christ to the world (whether as an infant or in the Jordan), and the Mystery of the [[Incarnation]]. The miracle at the Wedding at Cana is also celebrated during Epiphany as a first manifestation of Christ's public life.<ref name="BBCepiphany">{{Cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/christianity/holydays/epiphany.shtml |title=BBC Religions – Epiphany |date=November 7, 2011 |work=BBC |access-date=January 5, 2014}}</ref>

In some Churches, the feast of the Epiphany initiates the [[Epiphany season]], also known as Epiphanytide.

===Catholic Church===
[[File:Giotto - Scrovegni - -23- - Baptism of Christ.jpg|thumb|''Baptism of Christ'' [[fresco]] by [[Giotto di Bondone]], c. 1305 ([[Cappella Scrovegni]], [[Padua]], Italy)]]
In the [[Catholic Church]], Epiphany is either observed on the traditional fixed date of January 6, or it is transferred to the Sunday between January 2 and January 8.  Most dioceses in the United States observe the latter.  In each system, the date of Epiphany affects the dates of other feasts:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lectionary: Movable Feasts during the Christmas Season |url=https://catholic-resources.org/Lectionary/Overview-Christmas.htm |access-date=2024-09-09 |website=catholic-resources.org}}</ref>

* Where Epiphany is always celebrated on January 6, the [[Feast of the Baptism of the Lord]] is celebrated the following Sunday.  During years where there are two Sundays between Christmas and Epiphany, the second is known as the "Second Sunday after Christmas".
* Where Epiphany is on a moveable date and does not occur on January 6, it is moved earlier to replace the Second Sunday after Christmas in years where it would have occurred; otherwise it is moved later to the following Sunday, and displaces the Feast of the Baptism to the following Monday.

Currently, Epiphany is considered part of Christmas Time, which runs from First Vespers (Evening Prayer I) of Christmas up to and including the Sunday after Epiphany,<ref name="UNLY33" /> with [[Ordinary Time]] beginning on the following Monday.<ref>''Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year'', 44</ref>  Some regions and especially some communities celebrating the [[Tridentine Mass]] extend the season to as many as forty days, ending Christmastide traditionally on [[Candlemas]] (February 2).

On the Feast of the Epiphany in some parts of central Europe the priest, wearing white vestments, blesses Epiphany water, [[frankincense]], gold, and chalk. The chalk is used to write the initials of the three [[magi]] (traditionally, [[Saint Caspar|Caspar]], [[Melchior (Magi)|Melchior]], and [[Balthazar (Magus)|Balthasar]]), over the doors of churches and homes. The initials may also be interpreted as the Latin phrase, {{lang|la|Christus mansionem benedicat}} (may Christ bless the house).

According to ancient custom, the priest announced the [[Computus|date of Easter]] on the feast of Epiphany. This tradition dated from a time when calendars were not readily available, and the church needed to publicize the date of [[Easter]], since many celebrations of the [[liturgical year]] depend on it.<ref name="Missal">{{Citation |title=1970 Roman Missal |year=1989 |contribution=Proclamation of the Date of Easter at Epiphany |contribution-url=http://www.catholicliturgy.com/index.cfm/FuseAction/TextContents/Index/4/TextIndex/13 |publisher=The Catholic Liturgical Library |access-date=May 18, 2008 |title-link=Roman Missal |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213143606/http://www.catholicliturgy.com/index.cfm/FuseAction/TextContents/Index/4/TextIndex/13 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The proclamation may be sung or proclaimed at the ''[[Ambon (liturgy)|ambo]]'' by a [[deacon]], [[cantor (church)|cantor]], or [[reader (liturgy)|reader]] either after the reading of the [[Gospel (liturgy)|Gospel]] or after the [[Postcommunion|postcommunion prayer]].<ref name="Missal" />

The [[Roman Missal]] thus provides a formula with appropriate chant (in the tone of the ''[[Exsultet]]'') for proclaiming on Epiphany, wherever it is customary to do so, the dates in the calendar for the celebration of [[Ash Wednesday]], [[Easter Sunday]], [[Ascension of Jesus Christ]], [[Pentecost]], [[Corpus Christi (feast)|the Body and Blood of Christ]], and the First Sunday of [[Advent]] that will mark the following liturgical year.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sevenwholedays.org/2020/01/01/the-epiphany-proclamation-2020/ |title=The Epiphany Proclamation 2020 |author=Scott |date=January 1, 2020 |publisher=Seven Whole Days |access-date=January 2, 2020}}</ref>

=== Protestant churches ===
[[Lutheran]], [[Anglican]], Moravian, [[Methodist]] and [[United Protestant]] congregations, along with those of other denominations, may celebrate Epiphany on January 6, on the following Sunday within the Epiphany week ([[octave (liturgical)|octave]]), or at another time (Epiphany Eve January 5, the nearest Sunday, etc.) as local custom dictates.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 7, 2008 |title=O Morning Star, How Fair & Bright |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW5w6846m3o |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211103/qW5w6846m3o |archive-date=November 3, 2021 |access-date=December 22, 2011 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 8, 2011 |title=Epiphany Service: 1/8/2011, 5:15pm at Christ Lutheran Church – The Wichita Eagle |url=http://events.kansas.com/wichita-ks/events/show/159094705-epiphany-service |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721185305/http://events.kansas.com/wichita-ks/events/show/159094705-epiphany-service |archive-date=July 21, 2011 |access-date=December 22, 2011 |publisher=Events.kansas.com}}</ref>  Many in the West, such as adherents of the [[Anglican Communion]], [[Lutheran Church]]es and [[Methodist Church]]es, observe a twelve-day festival, starting on December 25, and ending on January 5, known as [[Christmastide]] or [[Twelve Days of Christmas|The Twelve Days of Christmas]], which the Epiphany season follows.

Today, ''The Epiphany of our Lord'',<ref name="prayerbook.ca">[http://prayerbook.ca/resources/bcponline/calendar/ The Calendar] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022221459/http://prayerbook.ca/resources/bcponline/calendar/|date=October 22, 2019}}. The Prayer Book Society of Canada. Retrieved January 5, 2015.</ref> classified as a [[Principal Feast]], is observed in some Anglican provinces on January 6 exclusively (e.g., the [[Anglican Church of Canada]])<ref name="prayerbook.ca" /> but in the [[Church of England]] the celebration is "on 6 January or transferred to the Sunday falling between 2 and 8 January".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Church of England, ''Common Worship Texts: Times and Seasons'', p. 120 |url=https://www.churchofengland.org/media/41154/tandsepiphany.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203002225/https://www.churchofengland.org/media/41154/tandsepiphany.pdf |archive-date=February 3, 2017 |access-date=December 17, 2014}}</ref>  In [[Advent]] 2000, the [[Church of England]], [[Mother Church]] of the [[Anglican Communion]], introduced into its liturgy an optional Epiphany season by approving the ''[[Common Worship]]'' series of services as an alternative to those in the ''[[Book of Common Prayer]]'', which remains the Church's normative liturgy and in which no such liturgical season appears. An official publication of the Church of England states: "The Christmas season is often celebrated for [[Twelve Days of Christmas|twelve days]], ending with the Epiphany. Contemporary use has sought to express an alternative tradition, in which Christmas lasts for a full forty days, ending with the Feast of the Presentation on 2 February."<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Common Worship Texts: Times and Seasons'' (Church House Publishing 2006), p. 64 |url=https://www.churchofengland.org/media/41153/tandschristmas.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203002755/https://www.churchofengland.org/media/41153/tandschristmas.pdf |archive-date=February 3, 2017 |access-date=June 18, 2018}}</ref> It presents the latter part of this period as the Epiphany season, comprising the Sundays of Epiphany and ending "only with the Feast of the Presentation (Candlemas)".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Common Worship Texts: Times and Seasons'' (Church House Publishing 2006), p. 120 |url=https://www.churchofengland.org/media/41154/tandsepiphany.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203002225/https://www.churchofengland.org/media/41154/tandsepiphany.pdf |archive-date=February 3, 2017 |access-date=December 17, 2014}}</ref>

Another interpretation of "Epiphany season" applies the term to the period from Epiphany to the day before [[Ash Wednesday]]. Some Methodists in the United States and Singapore follow these liturgies.<ref name="UMPH" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=The Methodist Church in Singapore |url=http://www.methodist.org.sg/index.php/resources/public-resources/seasons-of-the-church/140-seasons-of-the-church-sundays-after-epiphany |access-date=December 19, 2014 |publisher=methodist.org.sg}}</ref> Lutherans celebrate the last Sunday before Ash Wednesday as the Transfiguration of our Lord, and it has been said that they call the whole period from Epiphany to then as Epiphany season.<ref>[http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Worship/Planning/Epiphany.aspx Evangelical Lutheran Church in America] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130528061440/http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Worship/Planning/Epiphany.aspx|date=May 28, 2013}}</ref> The [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]] used the terms "Time after Epiphany" to refer to this period.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Worship |url=https://www.elca.org/Resources/Worship |website=ELCA.org}}</ref> The expression with "after" has been interpreted as making the period in question correspond to that of [[Ordinary Time]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ordinary Time Resource Guide |url=http://worship.calvin.edu/resources/resource-library/ordinary-time-resource-guide}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ordinary Time (After Epiphany) |url=http://idachurch.com/resources/times-and-seasons-of-the-church/ordinary-time-after-epiphany/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219232247/http://idachurch.com/resources/times-and-seasons-of-the-church/ordinary-time-after-epiphany/ |archive-date=December 19, 2014 |website=Imago Dei Anglican Church – Greater Bangor, Maine}}</ref>

The [[Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)]] does not celebrate Epiphany or Pentecost as seasons; for this Church, expressions such as "Fifth Sunday after Epiphany" indicate the passing of time, rather than a liturgical season. It instead uses the term "Ordinary Time".<ref>{{Cite book |last=Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NSZzNot1iCsC&pg=PA49 |title=Liturgical Year |publisher=Westminster John Knox Press |year=1992 |isbn=978-0-66425350-9 |page=49}}</ref>

Some Western Rite churches in the Protestant tradition, such as the Luthearn and Anglican churches, will follow practices similar to the Catholic Church. [[List of church cantatas by liturgical occasion#Epiphany (6 January)|Church cantatas for the Feast of Epiphany]] were written by Protestant composers such as [[Georg Philipp Telemann]], [[Christoph Graupner]], [[Johann Sebastian Bach]] and [[Gottfried Heinrich Stölzel]].<ref>[http://www.musiqueorguequebec.ca/catal/telemann/telgp01b.html#0111 "Fête de l'Épiphanie"] section at [http://www.musiqueorguequebec.ca/catal/telemann/telgp01b.html Georg Philipp Telemann, Catalogue TWV 01: Cantates d'église, Temps de Noël] ({{URL|www.musiqueorguequebec.ca}})</ref><ref>[[New Bach Edition]] (Bärenreiter). Volume 5: ''Kantaten zum Epiphaniasfest bis zum 2. Sonntag nach Epiphanias'' in [https://www.baerenreiter.com/en/catalogue/complete-editions/bach-johann-sebastian/nba/series-i/ Series I: Cantatas]</ref><ref>{{RISM|452511216}} Stölzel, Gottfried Heinrich: Es danken dir Gott die Völker and {{RISM|466000040}} Stölzel, Gottfried Heinrich: Lobet den Herrn alle Heiden in F major</ref><ref>{{IMSLP|work=Category:Pieces for Epiphany|cname=Pieces for Epiphany}}</ref>

=== Eastern Orthodox churches ===
{{Main|Baptism of the Lord}}

{{See also|Tabor light|theoria}}
[[File:Baptism (Kirillo-Belozersk).jpg|thumb|[[Russian icons|Russian icon]] of the Theophany ([[Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery]], 1497)]]
Eastern churches celebrate Epiphany (Theophany) on January 6. Some, as in Greece, employ the modern [[Revised Julian calendar]], which until 2800 coincides with the [[Gregorian calendar]], the one in use for civil purposes in most countries. Other Eastern churches, as in [[Russia]], hold to the older [[Julian calendar]] for reckoning church dates. In these old-calendar churches Epiphany falls at present on Gregorian January 19 – which is January 6 in the Julian calendar.

The name of the feast as celebrated in the Orthodox churches may be rendered in English as the [[Theophany]], as closer in form to the [[Greek language|Greek]] {{lang|grc|Θεοφάνια}} ("God shining forth" or "divine manifestation"). Here it is one of the [[Great Feasts]] of the [[liturgical year]], being third in rank, behind only [[Easter|Paskha]] (Easter) and [[Pentecost]] in importance. It is celebrated on January 6 of the calendar that a particular Church uses. On the [[Julian calendar]], which some of the Orthodox churches follow, that date corresponds, during the present century, to January 19 on the [[Gregorian calendar|Gregorian]] or [[Revised Julian calendar]]. The earliest reference to the feast in the Eastern Church is a remark by [[Clement of Alexandria|St. Clement of Alexandria]] in ''[[Stromata|Stromateis]]'', I, xxi, 45:

<blockquote>And there are those who have determined not only the year of our Lord's birth, but also the day… And the followers of [[Basilides]] hold the day of his baptism as a festival, spending the night before in readings. And they say that it was the fifteenth year of [[Tiberius Caesar]], the fifteenth day of the [[month of Tubi]]; and some that it was the eleventh of the same month.</blockquote>

(11 and 15 of Tubi are January 6 and 10, respectively.)

If this is a reference to a celebration of Christ's birth, as well as of his baptism, on January 6, it corresponds to what continues to be the custom of the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]], which celebrates the birth of Jesus on January 6 of the calendar used, calling the feast that of the Nativity and Theophany of Our Lord.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.armenianchurch.net/prayer/feasts.html |title=The Feasts of the Church Year |publisher=Armenianchurch.net |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527221451/http://www.armenianchurch.net/prayer/feasts.html |archive-date=May 27, 2010 |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.armenianchurch.net/worship/christmas/armenia.html |title=Christmas in the Old Country |publisher=Armenianchurch.net |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100127135056/http://www.armenianchurch.net/worship/christmas/armenia.html |archive-date=January 27, 2010 |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref>

[[Origen]]'s list of festivals (in ''[[Contra Celsum]]'', VIII, xxii) omits any reference to Epiphany. The first reference to an ecclesiastical feast of the Epiphany, in [[Ammianus Marcellinus]] (XXI:ii), is in 361.

In parts of the Eastern Church, January 6 continued for some time as a composite feast that included the Nativity of Jesus: though Constantinople adopted December 25 to commemorate Jesus' birth in the fourth century, in other parts the Nativity of Jesus continued to be celebrated on January 6, a date later devoted exclusively to commemorating his Baptism.<ref name="Pokhilko" />

Today in [[Eastern Orthodox]] churches, the emphasis at this feast is on the shining forth and revelation of Jesus Christ as the [[Messiah]] and [[God the Son|Second Person]] of the [[Trinity]] at the time of his baptism. It is also celebrated because, according to tradition, the [[baptism of Jesus]] in the [[Jordan River]] by [[St. John the Baptist]] marked one of only two occasions when all three Persons of the Trinity manifested themselves simultaneously to humanity: [[God the Father]] by speaking through the clouds, [[God the Son]] being baptized in the river, and [[God the Holy Spirit]] in the shape of a dove descending from heaven (the other occasion was the [[Transfiguration of Jesus|Transfiguration]] on [[Mount Tabor]]). Thus the holy day is considered to be a Trinitarian feast.

The Orthodox consider Jesus' Baptism to be the first step towards the [[Crucifixion of Jesus|Crucifixion]], and there are some parallels in the hymnography used on this day and the hymns chanted on [[Good Friday]].

====Liturgical practice in Eastern churches====
'''Forefeast''': The liturgical [[Forefeast]] of Theophany begins on January 2<ref>{{cite web |title=Ranking List of Feasts and Commemorations |url=http://www.dowama.org/sites/docs/RankingListOfFeastsAndCommemorations.pdf |website=St. Raphael Clergy Brotherhood |publisher='APOSTOLKI DIAKONIA' OF THE CHURCH OF GREECE – ATHENS 1993 |access-date=14 January 2022}}</ref> and concludes with the Paramony on January 5.

'''Paramony''': The [[Eve]] of the Feast is called ''Paramony'' ([[Greek language|Greek]]: {{lang|grc|παραμονή}}, [[Church Slavonic|Slavonic]]: ''navechérie''). Paramony is observed as a strict [[Fasting#Eastern Orthodoxy|fast day]], on which those faithful who are physically able, refrain from food until the first star is observed in the evening, when a meal with wine and oil may be taken. On this day the [[Royal Hours]] are celebrated, thus tying together this feast with [[Christmas|Nativity]] and Good Friday. The Royal Hours are followed by the [[Divine Liturgy of St. Basil]] which combines [[Vespers]] with the [[Divine Liturgy]]. During the Vespers, fifteen [[Old Testament]] [[lection]]s which foreshadow the Baptism of Christ are read, and special [[antiphon]]s are chanted. If the Feast of the Theophany falls on a Sunday or Monday, the Royal Hours are chanted on the previous Friday, and on the Paramony the [[Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom]] is celebrated in the morning. The fasting is lessened to some degree in this case.

[[File:Theophany Crucession in Bulgaria.jpg|thumb|Theophany [[Crucession]] in [[Bulgarian Orthodox Church|Bulgaria]]. The priests are going to throw a wooden cross in the [[Yantra (river)|Yantra river]]. Believers will then jump into the icy waters to recover the cross.]]

'''Blessing of Waters''': The Orthodox Churches perform the [[Great Blessing of Waters]] on Theophany.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://sites.google.com/site/waterinchristianity |title=Nicholas Pokhilko, The Meaning of Water in Christianity |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref> The blessing is normally done twice: once on the Eve of the Feast – usually at a [[Baptismal font]] inside the church – and then again on the day of the feast, outdoors at a body of water. Following the [[Divine Liturgy]], the clergy and people go in a [[Crucession]] (procession with the cross) to the nearest body of water, be it a beach, harbor, quay, river, lake, swimming pool, water depot, etc. (ideally, it should be a body of "living water"). At the end of the ceremony the priest will bless the waters. In the Greek practice, he does this by casting a cross into the water. If swimming is feasible on the spot, any number of volunteers may try to recover the cross. The person who gets the cross first swims back and returns it to the priest, who then delivers a special blessing to the swimmer and their household. Certain such ceremonies have achieved particular prominence, such as the one held annually at [[Tarpon Springs, Florida|Tarpon Springs]], Florida. In Russia, where the winters are severe, a hole will be cut into the ice so that the waters may be blessed. In such conditions, the cross is not cast into the water, but is held securely by the priest and dipped three times into the water.

[[File:Cross being thrown at Theophany.jpg|thumb|[[Greek Orthodox]] [[bishop]] at the [[Great Blessing of Waters]] on Theophany, releasing the cross off the [[Glenelg, South Australia|Glenelg]] Jetty, [[South Australia]], for one of the swimmers below to retrieve]]

The water that is blessed on this day is sometimes known as "Theophany Water", though usually just "holy water", and is taken home by the faithful, and used with prayer as a blessing. People will not only bless themselves and their homes by sprinkling with holy water, but will also drink it. The Orthodox Church teaches that holy water differs from ordinary water by virtue of the incorruptibility bestowed upon it by a blessing that transforms its very nature.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.holytrinityorthodox.com/events/01-19-2006/index.htm#On_Holy_Water |title=Past Events. HOLY TRINITY RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH, a parish of the Patriarchate of Moscow}}</ref> a miracle attested to as early as [[John Chrysostom|St. John Chrysostom]].<ref>St. John Chrysostom, ''Homily on Christian Baptism'' in P.G., XLIX, 363.</ref>

Theophany is a traditional day for performing [[Baptism]]s, and this is reflected in the [[Divine Liturgy]] by singing the baptismal hymn, "As many as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Alleluia," in place of the [[Trisagion]].

'''House Blessings''': On Theophany the priest will begin making the round of the parishioner's homes to bless them. He will perform a short prayer service in each home, and then go through the entire house, gardens and outside-buildings, blessing them with the newly blessed Theophany Water, while all sing the [[Troparion]] and [[Kontakion]] of the feast. This is normally done on Theophany, or at least during the [[Afterfeast]], but if the parishioners are numerous, and especially if many live far away from the church, it may take some time to bless each house. Traditionally, these blessings should all be finished before the beginning of [[Great Lent]].

'''Afterfeast''': The Feast of Theophany is followed by an eight-day [[Afterfeast]] on which the normal fasting laws are suspended. The Saturday and Sunday after Theophany have special readings assigned to them, which relate to the [[Temptation of Jesus|Temptation of Christ]] and to penance and perseverance in the Christian struggle. There is thus a liturgical continuum between the Feast of Theophany and the beginning of Great Lent.

===Oriental Orthodox===
[[File:Pindi Perunnal 2019 In Kunnamkulam 04.jpg|thumb|Epiphany in [[Kerala]], India]]

In the [[Ethiopian Orthodox Church]], the feast is known as ''[[Timkat]]'' and is celebrated on the day that the [[Gregorian calendar]] calls January 19, but on January 20 in years when [[Enkutatash]] in the [[Ethiopian calendar]] falls on Gregorian September 12 (i.e. when the following February in the Gregorian calendar will have 29 days). The celebration of this feast features blessing of water and solemn processions with the sacred [[tabot]]. A priest carries this to a body of water where it stays overnight, with the [[Divine Liturgy|Metsehafe Qeddassie]] celebrated in the early morning. Later in the morning, the water is blessed to the accompaniment of the reading of the four Gospel accounts of the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan and the people are sprinkled with or go into the water. The tabot returns in procession to the church{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}.

Among the [[Syriac Christians]] the feast is called ''denho'' (up-going), a name to be connected with the notion of rising light expressed in {{bibleverse || Luke|1:78}}. In the [[East Syriac rite]], the season of Epiphany (Epiphanytide) is known as ''Denha{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}''.

In the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]], January 6 is celebrated as the Nativity (''[[wikt:Սուրբ Ծնունդ|Soorp Tsnund]]'') and Theophany of Christ. The feast is preceded by a seven-day fast. On the eve of the feast, the [[Divine Liturgy]] is celebrated. This liturgy is referred to as the ''[[wikt:ճրագալույց|Chragaluytsi]] [[wikt:պատարագ|Patarag]]'' (the Eucharist of the lighting of the lamps) in honor of the manifestation of Jesus as the Son of God. Both the Armenian Apostolic Church's and [[Assyrian Church of the East]]'s liturgy is followed by a blessing of water, during which the cross is immersed in the water, symbolizing Jesus' descent into the Jordan, and holy ''myron'' ([[chrism]]) is poured in, symbolic of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus. The next morning, after the Liturgy, the cross is removed from the vessel of holy water and all come forward to kiss the cross and partake of the blessed water{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}.

The [[Indian Orthodox Church]] celebrates the feast of Epiphany, ''Denaha'' [Syriac term which means rising] on January 6, and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church celebrates on January 19 as the Timkath festival, which was included in the UNESCO heritage list of festivals{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}.

==Music <span class="anchor" id="Music"></span> ==
===Classical===
[[Johann Sebastian Bach]] composed in Leipzig two [[Bach cantata|cantata]]s for the feast which concluded Christmastide:

* [[Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen, BWV 65|''Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen'', BWV 65]], (1724)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cantata No. 65, "Sie werden aus Saba alle kommen," BWV 65 (BC A27) – Johann Sebastian Bach, Johann Sebastian Bach – Details, Parts / Movements and Recordings |url=http://www.allmusic.com/composition/cantata-no-65-sie-werden-aus-saba-alle-kommen-bwv-65-bc-a27-mc0002356333 |publisher=AllMusic}}</ref>
* [[Liebster Immanuel, Herzog der Frommen, BWV 123|''Liebster Immanuel, Herzog der Frommen'', BWV 123]], (1725)<ref>{{Cite book |title=Die Kantaten von Johann Sebastian Bach |oclc=523584}}</ref>

[[Christmas Oratorio#Part VI|Part VI]] of his Christmas Oratorio, ''[[Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben, BWV 248 VI|Herr, wenn die stolzen Feinde schnauben]]'', was also designated to be performed during the service for Epiphany.<ref>[http://www.bbcboston.org/news/christmasbach.pdf Back Bay Chorale] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722194530/http://www.bbcboston.org/news/christmasbach.pdf|date=July 22, 2013}}</ref>

The first three movements of [[Felix Mendelssohn]]'s oratorio ''[[Christus (Mendelssohn)|Christus]]'' are sometimes sung at Epiphany as they make reference to the Magi and the Star of Bethlehem.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hodgkinson |first1=Alex |title=On The Record: listening choices for Epiphany to stir the heart and soul|url=https://catholicherald.co.uk/a-musician-names-the-best-epiphany-music/ |publisher=[[Catholic Herald]] |access-date=7 January 2025 |date=6 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Todd |first1=R. Larry |title=Mendelssohn: A Life in Music |date=23 October 2003 |publisher=Oxford University Press, USA |isbn=978-0-19-511043-2 |url=https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Mendelssohn/j2Pf2yQipyUC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=mendelssohn%20christus%20%22paul%20mendelssohn%22&pg=PA555&printsec=frontcover |page=555 |access-date=6 January 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

In [[Ottorino Respighi]]'s [[Symphonic poem|symphonic tone poem]] [[Roman Festivals (Respighi)|''Roman Festivals'']], the final movement is subtitled "Bofana" and takes place during Epiphany.

===Carols and hymns===
"[[Nun liebe Seel, nun ist es Zeit]]" is a German Epiphany hymn by Georg Weissel, first printed in 1642.

Two very familiar [[List of Christmas carols|Christmas carols]] are associated with the Epiphany holiday: "[[As with gladness, men of old]]", written by [[William Chatterton Dix]] in 1860 as a response to the many legends which had grown up surrounding the [[Magi]];<ref>{{Cite web |title=As with Gladness, Men of Old |url=http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/a/s/w/aswithgl.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901122426/http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/a/s/w/aswithgl.htm |archive-date=September 1, 2019 |access-date=November 25, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=As with Gladness Men of Old |url=http://www.hymnary.org/text/as_with_gladness_men_of_old |access-date=November 25, 2016}}</ref> and "[[We Three Kings]] of Orient Are", written by the Reverend [[John Henry Hopkins Jr.]] – then an ordained [[deacon]] in the Episcopal Church<ref name="cyber">[http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/h/o/p/hopkins_jh.htm Biography] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111142545/http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/h/o/p/hopkins_jh.htm|date=January 11, 2012}} at the Cyber Hymnal</ref> – who was instrumental in organizing an elaborate holiday pageant (which featured this hymn) for the students of the General Theological Seminary in New York City in 1857 while serving as the seminary's music director.

Another popular hymn, less known culturally as a carol, is "Songs of thankfulness and praise", with words written by [[Christopher Wordsworth]] and commonly sung to the tune "St. Edmund" by [[Charles Steggall]].

A carol used as an anthem for the Epiphany holiday is "[[The Three Kings]]".

==National and local customs==
[[File:Bgnr.jpg|right|thumb|A traditional [[Bulgaria]]n all-male [[horo (dance)|horo]] dance in ice-cold water on Theophany]]

Epiphany is celebrated with a wide array of customs around the world. In some cultures, the greenery and [[nativity scene]]s put up at Christmas are taken down at Epiphany. In other cultures these remain up until [[Presentation of Jesus at the Temple|Candlemas]] on February 2. In countries historically shaped by [[Western Christianity]] ([[Roman Catholicism]], [[Protestantism]]) these customs often involve gift giving, "king cakes" and a celebratory close to the Christmas season. In traditionally [[Eastern Christianity|Orthodox]] nations, water, baptismal rites and house blessings are typically central to these celebrations.

===Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay===
In Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, as in other Latin American countries, the day is called "Día de Reyes" (The Day of Kings, a reference to the [[Biblical Magi]]), commemorating the arrival of the Magi to revere Jesus as son of God. The night of January 5 into the morning of January 6 is known as "Noche de Reyes" (The Night of Kings) and children leave their shoes by the door, along with grass and water for the camels. On the morning of January 6, they get up early and rush to see their shoes, where they are expecting to find gifts left by the "Reyes" who, according to tradition, bypass the houses of children who are awake. On January 6, a "Rosca de Reyes" (a ring-shaped Epiphany cake) is eaten and all Christmas decorations are traditionally put away.

===Assyrians in Iraq and Syria===

[[Assyrian people|Assyrian]] Christians in Iraq celebrate "the feast of Epiphany", "Etha de Denha" ("rising in [[Neo-Aramaic]]) on January 6, this holiday is celebrated by people of all ages splashing water at each other with buckets or hoses as a symbol of Jesus’s baptism.

===Bulgaria===
[[File:Great Blessing of Waters.jpg|thumb|Epiphany celebration in [[Gabrovo]], Bulgaria]]

In Bulgaria, Epiphany is celebrated on January 6 and is known as ''Bogoyavlenie'' ("Manifestation of God"), ''Кръщение Господне'' (''Krashtenie Gospodne'' or "Baptism of the Lord") or ''Yordanovden'' ("Day of Jordan", referring to [[Jordan River|the river]]). On this day, a wooden cross is thrown by a priest into the sea, river or lake and young men race to retrieve it. As the date is in early January and the waters are close to freezing, this is considered an honorable act and it is said that good health will be bestowed upon the home of the swimmer who is the first to reach the cross.<ref name="nat-geo">{{Cite web |url=http://www.allpics4u.com/places/visions-of-earth-by-national-geographic.html |title=Bulgaria – Epiphany Day at an icy Sofia lake finds young men in hot pursuit. Belief holds that the first to reach the wooden cross, thrown by an Eastern Orthodox priest, will enjoy a year of good health. Photograph by Dimitar Dilkoff |access-date=November 10, 2014 |archive-date=April 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413235314/http://www.allpics4u.com/places/visions-of-earth-by-national-geographic.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In the town of [[Kalofer]], a traditional [[Bulgarian dances|horo]] with drums and [[bagpipes]] is played in the icy waters of the [[Tundzha]] river before the throwing of the cross.<ref name="kalofer">{{Cite news |url=http://framework.latimes.com/2011/01/07/the-week-in-pictures-19/#/22 |title=Epiphany in Kalofer, Bulgaria |last=Dilkoff |first=D. |date=January 6, 2011 |access-date=January 6, 2012 |publisher=LA Times/AFP/Getty}}</ref><ref name="kal-vid">{{Cite web |url=http://www.euronews.net/nocomment/2012/01/07/icy-plunge-for-epiphany-in-bulgaria/ |title=Icy plunge for Epiphany in Bulgaria (Video) |date=January 6, 2011 |publisher=Euronews |access-date=January 12, 2012 |archive-date=January 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114004622/http://www.euronews.net/nocomment/2012/01/07/icy-plunge-for-epiphany-in-bulgaria/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Benelux===
[[File:Driekoningen.JPG|thumb|Children in Flanders celebrating Driekoningen]]

Speakers of Dutch and Flemish call this day ''Driekoningen'' (Three kings), while German speakers call it ''{{Lang|de|Dreikönigstag}}'' (Three Kings' Day). In Belgium, Luxembourg, the southern parts of the Netherlands and in neighboring Germany, children in groups of three (symbolizing the Biblical Magi) proceed in costume from house to house while singing songs typical for the occasion, and receiving a coin or some sweets at each door. They may each carry a paper lantern symbolizing the star.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=72112 |title=Dutch Children Act Out The Epiphany |date=January 16, 1968 |publisher=British Pathe |access-date=December 22, 2011 |archive-date=November 27, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127220217/http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=72112 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In the Netherlands (provinces of Brabant and Limburg only),<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.omroepbrabant.nl/nieuws/3321722/driekoningen-driekoningen-geef-mij-een-nieuwe-film |title=Driekoningen, Driekoningen, geef mij een nieuwe...film |access-date=October 19, 2023 |archive-date=January 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125151132/https://www.omroepbrabant.nl/nieuws/3321722/driekoningen-driekoningen-geef-mij-een-nieuwe-film |url-status=dead }}</ref> these troupes gather for competitions and present their skits/songs for an audience. As in Belgium, ''Koningentaart'' (Kings' tart), puff pastry with almond filling, is prepared with a black bean hidden inside. Whoever finds the bean in his or her piece is king or queen for the day. A more typically Dutch version is ''Koningenbrood'', or Kings' bread. In the north of the Netherlands, the traditions have died out, except for a very few places.<ref>[https://www.nu.nl/werk-en-prive/4193447/traditie-driekoningen-verloren-gegaan.html {{lang|nl|'Traditie Driekoningen is verloren gegaan'}}], nu.nl, January 6, 2016 {{in lang|nl}}</ref> Another [[Low Countries]] tradition on Epiphany is to open up doors and windows to let good luck in for the coming year.

===Brazil===
In Brazil, the day is called "Dia dos Reis" (The Day of Kings) and in the rest of Latin America "Día de Reyes" commemorating the arrival of the Magi to confirm Jesus as son of God. The night of January 5 into the morning of January 6 is known as "Night of Kings" (also called the Twelfth Night) and is feasted with music, sweets and regional dishes as the last night of Nativity, when Christmas decorations are traditionally put away.<ref name="Wigder1977">{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UAAsAAAAYAAJ |title=Brazil rediscovered |last=Wigder |first=Roberta C. |year=1977 |publisher=Dorrance Publishing Company, Incorporated |isbn=978-0-8059-2328-5 |page=37}}</ref>

===Chile===
This day is sometimes known as the ''Día de los Tres Reyes Magos'' (The day of the Three Royal [[Biblical Magi|Magi]]) or ''La Pascua de los Negros'' (Holy Day of the Black men)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.soychile.cl/Arica/Cultura/2013/01/05/145926/Con-un-pasacalle-se-iniciaran-las-celebraciones-de-la-Pascua-de-los-Negros-en-Arica.aspx |title=Con un pasacalle se iniciarán las celebraciones de la Pascua de los Negros en Arica |date=January 5, 2013 |publisher=soychile.cl |access-date=December 25, 2013}}</ref> in Chile, although the latter is rarely heard, because it was the day when slaves were allowed not to work.

===Dominican Republic===
In the Dominican Republic, the ''Día de los Tres Reyes Magos'' (The day of the Three Royal [[Biblical Magi|Magi]]) and in this day children receive gifts on the christmas tree in a similar fashion to Christmas day. On this day public areas are very active with children accompanied by their parents trying out their new toys.

A common practice is to leave toys under the children's beds on January 5, so when they wake up on January 6, they are made to believe the gifts and toys were left from Santa Claus or the Three Kings. However, and particularly in the larger cities and in the North, local traditions are now being observed and intertwined with the greater North American Santa Claus tradition, as well as with other holidays such as Halloween, due to Americanization via film and television, creating an economy of gifting tradition that spans from Christmas Day until January 6.

===Egypt===
The feast of the Epiphany, locally called '''Eid al-Ghitas''' ({{langx|ar|عيد الغِطاس}}),<ref name="Makary 2023 r722">{{cite web |last=Makary |first=Marina |date=2023-01-17 |title=Why do Coptic Christians in Egypt Eat Taro on Feast of the Epiphany? |url=https://egyptianstreets.com/2023/01/17/why-do-coptic-christians-in-egypt-eat-taro-on-feast-of-the-epiphany/ |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=Egyptian Streets}}</ref> is celebrated by the [[Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria]], which falls on 11 Tobe of the [[Coptic calendar]], as the moment when in the baptism of Jesus the skies opened and God himself revealed to all as father of Jesus and all mankind. It is then a moment of revelation of epiphany. This celebration started to include all the processes of incarnation of Jesus, from his birth on Christmas until his baptism in the river Jordan. For the Coptic Orthodox Church it is also a moment in which the path of Jesus to the Cross begins. Therefore, in many celebrations there are certain similarities with the celebrations of Holy Friday during the time of Easter. Since the Epiphany is one of the seven great feasts of the Coptic Orthodox Church, it is a day of strict fasting, and several religious celebrations are held on this day. The day is related to the blessing of waters that are used all throughout the year in the church celebrations, and it is a privileged day to celebrate baptisms. It is also a day in which many houses are blessed with water. It may take several days for the local priest to bless all the houses of the parishioners that ask for it, and so the blessing of the houses may go into the after-feasts of the Epiphany celebrations. However, it must be done before the beginning of Lent.<ref name="Copticheritage">{{Cite web |url=http://www.copticheritage.org/rites/06_feast_of_epiphany |title=Coptic Feast of Epiphany |last=Gamal Mikhail, Albair |date=December 26, 2003 |publisher=CopticHeritage |access-date=January 5, 2014 |archive-date=August 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810185357/https://www.copticheritage.org/rites/06_feast_of_epiphany |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===England===
In England, the celebration of the night before Epiphany, [[Epiphany Eve]], is known as Twelfth Night (the first night of Christmas is December 25–26, and Twelfth Night is January 5–6), and was a traditional time for [[Mummers Play|mumming]] and the [[wassail]]. The [[Yule log]] was left burning until this day, and the charcoal left was kept until the next Christmas to kindle next year's Yule log, as well as to protect the house from fire and lightning.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Xmas/twelfthnight/traditions.html |title=Twelfth Night in England – Traditions and customs |date=January 1, 2004 |publisher=Woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213185358/http://woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Xmas/twelfthnight/traditions.html |archive-date=February 13, 2012 |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref> In the past, Epiphany was also a day for playing practical jokes, similar to [[April Fool's Day]]. Today in England, Twelfth Night is still as popular a day for plays as when [[Shakespeare]]'s ''[[Twelfth Night]]'' was first performed in 1601, and annual celebrations involving the [[Green Man|Holly Man]] are held in London.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Xmas/twelfthnight/celebration.html |title=Twelfth Night Celebrations – London |publisher=Woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011135603/http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Xmas/twelfthnight/celebration.html |archive-date=October 11, 2011 |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref> A traditional dish for Epiphany was Twelfth Cake, a rich, dense, typically English [[fruitcake]]. As in Europe, whoever found the baked-in bean was king for a day, but uniquely to English tradition other items were sometimes included in the cake. Whoever found the clove was the villain; the twig, the fool; and the rag, the tart.{{clarify|date=January 2021}} Anything spicy or hot, like ginger snaps and spiced ale, was considered proper Twelfth Night fare, recalling the costly spices brought by the Wise Men. Another English Epiphany sweetmeat was the traditional jam tart, made appropriate to the occasion by being fashioned in the form of a six-pointed star symbolising the Star of Bethlehem, and thus called Epiphany tart. The discerning English cook sometimes tried to use thirteen different colored jams on the tart on this day for luck, creating a pastry resembling stained glass.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.theoldfoodie.com/2007/01/twelfth-day-of-christmas.html |title=The Twelfth Day of Christmas |date=January 6, 2007 |publisher=The Old Foodie |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref>

===Ethiopia and Eritrea===
[[File:01 - Priests dancing for Timkat.jpg|thumb|Orthodox priests dancing during the celebration of [[Timkat]]]]
In the [[Ethiopian Orthodox Church]] and the [[Eritrean Orthodox Church]], the feast is known as ''[[Timkat]]'' and is celebrated on the day that the [[Gregorian calendar]] calls January 19, but on January 20 in years when [[New Year]] in the [[Ethiopian calendar]] falls on Gregorian September 12 (i.e. when the following February in the Gregorian calendar will have 29 days). The celebration of this feast features blessing of water and solemn processions with the sacred [[Tabot]].<ref name="HufpostEthiopian">{{Cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/19/timkat-2012-ethiopia-photos_n_1212818.html |title=Timkat 2012: An Ethiopian Orthodox Celebration of the Epiphany |last=Barooah, Jahnabi |date=January 19, 2012 |work=HuffPost |access-date=January 5, 2014 |agency=HuffPost}}</ref>

===Finland===
In Finland, Epiphany is called ''{{Lang|fi|loppiainen}}'', a name which goes back to the 1600s. In the 1500s the Swedish-Finnish [[Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland|Lutheran]] church called Epiphany "Day of the Holy Three Kings", while before this, the older term ''Epiphania'' was used. In the [[Karelian language]] Epiphany is called ''vieristä'', meaning cross, from the [[Finnish Orthodox Church|Orthodox]] custom of submerging a cross three times to bless water on this day.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.finnguide.fi/calendar/publicbankinfo.asp?month=1&p=3 |title=Finnguide: Finland Finnish Calendar Events : Epiphany (Loppiainen) Finland calendar events information |last=Finnguide.fi |publisher=Finnguide.fi |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127222204/http://www.finnguide.fi/calendar/publicbankinfo.asp?month=1&p=3 |archive-date=November 27, 2011 |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref> Today, in the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland|Lutheran]] church, Epiphany is a day dedicated to a focus on [[missionary]] work in addition to the Wise Men narrative. Between 1973 and 1991 Epiphany was observed in Finland on a Saturday each year no earlier than January 6, and no later than January 12. After that time however, the traditional date of January 6 was restored and has since been observed once again as a national public holiday.

The Christmas tree is traditionally taken out of the house on Epiphany. While the term ''{{Lang|fi|loppiainen}}'' means "ending [of Christmas time]," in reality, Christmas celebrations in Finland are extended to ''Nuutti's'' or [[Canute IV of Denmark|St. Canute's]] Day on January 13, completing the Scandinavian Twenty Days of Christmas.

===Francophone Europe===
In France people share one of two types of king cake. In the northern half of France and Belgium the cake is called a ''[[French king cake|galette des Rois]],'' and is a round, flat, and golden cake made with flake pastry and often filled with [[frangipane]], fruit, or chocolate. In the south, in [[Provence]], and in the south-west, a crown-shaped cake or [[brioche]] filled with fruit called a ''[[Roscón|gâteau des Rois]]'' is eaten. In [[Romandie]], both types can be found though the latter is more common. Both types of cake contain a charm, usually a porcelain or plastic figurine, called a ''[[fève]]'' (''[[broad bean]]'' in French).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.france.fr/en/celebrations-and-festivals/epiphany |title=Epiphany factsheet |publisher=Official Website of France |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140106041003/http://www.france.fr/en/celebrations-and-festivals/epiphany |archive-date=January 6, 2014 |access-date=January 5, 2014}}</ref>

The cake is cut by the youngest (and therefore most innocent) person at the table to assure that the recipient of the bean is random. The person who gets the piece of cake with the trinket becomes "king" or "queen" and wears a paper crown provided with the cake. In some regions this person has a choice between offering a beverage to everyone around the table (usually a sparkling wine or champagne), or volunteering to host the next king cake at their home. This can extend the festivities through all of January.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lemagfemmes.com/Religion-chretienne/Epiphanie.html |title=L'Epiphanie: des galettes a partager! |access-date=January 5, 2014}}</ref>

===German-speaking Europe===
[[File:Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-F064527-0016, Bundespräsident empfängt Sternsinger.jpg|thumb|[[Star singers]] visit President [[Karl Carstens]] (1982).]]
[[File:Sternsinger Segensbitte Regen.jpg|thumb|right|Traditional house blessing in chalk, written by ''Sternsinger'' on the door beam of the home]]

January 6 is a public holiday in Austria, three [[federal states of Germany]], and three [[cantons of Switzerland]], as well as in parts of [[Graubünden]].
In the German-speaking lands, groups of young people called ''Sternsinger'' ([[star singers]]) travel from door to door. They are dressed as the Biblical Magi, and their leader carries a star, usually of painted wood attached to a broom handle. Often these groups are four girls, or two boys and two girls in order to sing in four-part harmony. They sing traditional songs and newer ones such as "[[Stern über Bethlehem]]". They are not necessarily three wise men. German Lutherans often note in a lighthearted fashion that the Bible never specifies that the ''Weisen'' ([[Magi]]) were men, or that there were three. The star singers solicit donations for worthy causes, such as efforts to end hunger in Africa, organized jointly by the Catholic and Protestant churches, and they will also be offered treats at the homes they visit.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzg_8RzjQXA | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019075505/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzg_8RzjQXA| archive-date=October 19, 2013 | url-status=dead|title=Die Sternsinger bei Life Radio! |date=December 30, 2008 |via=YouTube |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref> The young people then perform the traditional house blessing, by marking the year over the doorway with chalk. In Roman Catholic communities this may even today be a serious spiritual event with the priest present, but among Protestants it is more a tradition, and a part of the German notion of [[Gemütlichkeit]]. Usually on the Sunday following Epiphany, these donations are brought into churches. Here all of the children who have gone out as star singers, once again in their costumes, form a procession of sometimes dozens of wise men and stars. The German Chancellor and Parliament also receive a visit from the star singers at Epiphany.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.abendblatt.de/politik/deutschland/article1329179/108-Koenige-zu-Gast-bei-der-Kanzlerin.html |title=108 Könige zu Gast bei der Kanzlerin |date=January 4, 2010 |publisher=Abendblatt.de |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref>

The Three Kings cake is a golden pastry ring filled with orange and spice representing gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Most often found in [[Switzerland]], these cakes take the form of [[Buchteln]] but for Epiphany, studded with citron, and baked as seven large buns in a round rather than square pan, forming a crown. Or they may be made of typical rich Christmas bread dough with cardamom and pearl sugar in the same seven bun crown shape. These varieties are most typically purchased in supermarkets, with the trinket and gold paper crown included.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://christmasspirit.wordpress.com/2006/11/10/how-to-make-three-kings-cake-german-three-kings-cake-dreikonigskuchen |title=How to Make Three Kings Cake > German Three Kings Cake (Dreikönigskuchen) |last=The Anonymous Mama |date=November 10, 2006 |publisher=Christmasspirit.wordpress.com |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref> As in other countries, the person who receives the piece or bun containing the trinket or whole almond becomes the king or queen for a day. Epiphany is also an especially joyful occasion for the young and young at heart, as this is the day dedicated to ''plündern'' – that is, when Christmas trees are "plundered" of their cookies and sweets by eager children (and adults) and when [[gingerbread]] houses, and any other good things left in the house from Christmas, are devoured.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mrshea.com/germusa/customs/3kings.htm |title=Epiphany – Three Kings |date=December 14, 2005 |publisher=Mrshea.com |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref> Lastly, there is a German rhyme saying, or [[Weather lore|''Bauernregel'']], that goes {{Lang|de|Ist's bis Dreikönigs kein Winter, kommt keiner dahinter}}, meaning "If there hasn't been any winter (weather) until Epiphany, none is coming afterward." Another of these ''Bauernregel'' (German farmer's rules) for Epiphany states: {{Lang|de|Dreikönigsabend hell und klar, verspricht ein gutes Weinjahr}}, or "If the eve of Epiphany is bright and clear, it foretells a good wine year."

===Greece, Cyprus===
[[File:Epiphany Mass in the Monastery of Prophet Elias of Santorini.jpg|thumb|Epiphany Mass in [[Santorini]], Greece]]

In Greece, Cyprus and the [[Greek diaspora]] throughout the world, the feast is called the Theophany,{{citation needed|date=July 2023}} or colloquially ''Phōta'' ({{langx|el|Φώτα}}, "Lights").<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.justlanded.com/english/Greece/Greece-Guide/Culture/National-holidays-in-Greece |title=National Holidays in Greece |publisher=justlanded.com |access-date=December 25, 2013}}</ref> It is the "Great Celebration" or ''Theotromi''. In some regions of Macedonia (West) it is the biggest festival of the year. The Baptism of Christ symbolizes the rebirth of man, its importance is such that until the fourth century Christians celebrated New Year on this day. Customs revolve around the [[Great Blessing of Waters#Great Blessing of Waters at Theophany|Great Blessing of the Waters]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.antiochian.org/node/18690 |title=The Winter Pascha, Chapter 34: The Great Blessing of Water |publisher=Antiochan Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America |access-date=December 25, 2013}}</ref> It marks the end of the traditional ban on sailing, as the tumultuous winter seas are cleansed of the mischief-prone ''kalikántzaroi'', the goblins that try to torment God-fearing Christians through the festive season. During this ceremony, a cross is thrown into the water, and the men compete to retrieve it for good luck. The ''Phota'' form the middle of another festive [[triduum]], together with Epiphany Eve, when children sing the Epiphany carols, and the great feast of [[St. John the Baptist]] (January 7 and eve),{{citation needed|date=July 2023}} when the numerous Johns and Joans celebrate their name-day.

It is a time for sanctification, which in Greece means expiation, purification of the people and protection against the influence of demons. This concept is certainly not strictly Christian, but has roots in ancient worship. In most parts of Greece a ritual called "small sanctification", ''Protagiasi'' or "Enlightment" is practiced on the eve of Epiphany. The priest goes door to door with the cross and a branch of basil to "sanctify" or "brighten" the rooms by sprinkling them with holy water. The ''protagiasi'' casts away the goblins ; bonfires are also lit in some places for that purpose. The "Great Blessing" happens in church on the day of the Epiphany. {{clarify span| text=In the Churches in a special rig embellished upon which brought large pot full of water|date=August 2018}}. Then the "Dive of the Cross" is performed: a cross is throwned by the priest in the sea, a nearby river, a lake or an ancient Roman cistern (as in [[Athens]]). According to popular belief, this ritual gives the water the power to cleanse and sanitize. In many places, after the dive of the cross, the locals run to the beaches or the shores of rivers or lakes to wash their agricultural tools and even icons. Indeed, according common folk belief, icons lose their original strength and power with the passage of time, but they can be restored by dipping the icons in the water cleansed by the cross. This may be a survival of ancient beliefs. Athenians held a ceremony called "washing": the statue of Athena was carried in procession to the coast of Faliro where it was washed with salt water to cleanse it and renew its sacred powers. 
{{clarify span|text=Today, women in many parts repeating this ancient custom of washing the images but combined with other instruments of medieval and ancient magic. As the plate of Mytilene while the divers dive to catch the Cross women at the same time "getting a detaining (= pumpkin) water from 40 waves and then with cotton dipped it clean icons without talking to throughout this process ("dumb water") and then the water is thrown out of the not pressed (in the crucible of the church).|reason=seems like a translation, with the meaning being somewhat lost in the process|date=January 2015}}{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}

===Guadeloupe Islands===
Celebrations in Guadeloupe have a different feel from elsewhere in the world. Epiphany here does not mean the last day of Christmas celebrations, but rather the first day of ''Kannaval'' ([[Carnival]]), which lasts until the evening before [[Ash Wednesday]]. Carnival, in turn, ends with the ''grand brilé Vaval'', the burning of Vaval, the king of the ''Kannaval'', amidst the cries and wails of the crowd.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://fetedesrois.blogspot.com/ |title=La Fête des Rois |publisher=Fetedesrois.blogspot.com |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref>

=== Hungary ===
[[File:Csillagozas Hajdudorog.jpg|alt=Csillagozás|thumb|The picture depicts a Christmas-star, the main part of an old Hungarian Christmas-tradition called ''csillagozás'' (star-play). Unlike other usual Christmas traditions the csillagozás is a play that isn't performed in a group. Usually it is performed by a child who is younger than 10 years. The play itself is a string of Christmas carols that tells the story of Jesus' birth. In the end of the performance the child asks the Lord's blessings for the house and ones who're living in it and wishes them merry Christmas. In return the child usually gets some sweets or money.]]
On this day, the Christmas trees are taken down. Nowadays, the traditions associated with the holiday are being followed in fewer and fewer villages. Many traditions and superstition are associated with this day. During house blessings (called ''koleda''), it was common to write with chalk e.g. '''20CMB25''' over the door = „Christus Mansionem Benedicat!” in the year 2025, or with meaning by people's ethimology: C = Caspar, M = Melchior, B = Balthasar (a monogram made out of the names of the [[Biblical Magi|3 Kings]]) next to the year to protect them against witches hex or [[Lightning strike|lightnings]]. The preachers were given a bowl of corn, a bowl of peas, a pig's foot to eat and gifted them a bag of plums, nuts, flour, salo and sausages. With the holywater they blessed their kids, house and animals and their dead (sprinkled on coffins). There were places where people attributed magical powers to simple brooks, like in Jászdózsa, where they cut a hole in the Tarna (today: Trnava) and people splashed each other with the icy water to be healthy. [[Star singers|Csillagének (Star singing)]] and ''Csillagozás'' were both common. The children doing the Csillagének prepared costumes and mechanically-moved stars, and it wasn't only performed by boys. This was accomponied by ''Háromkirályjárás'' where next to the singing they also performed the story of the Biblical Magi and the Story of Herod.  As with most Hungarian holidays, there were also superstitions connected to Epiphany (''Vízkereszt''): for example, in [[:ro:Vornicenii Mici, Suceava|Józseffalva, Bukovina]], it was believed that if you braid that day the sausages will become longer next year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=JANUÁR 6. VÍZKERESZT {{!}} Magyar néprajz {{!}} Kézikönyvtár |url=http://www.arcanum.com/hu/online-kiadvanyok/MagyarNeprajz-magyar-neprajz-2/vii-nepszokas-nephit-nepi-vallasossag-A33C/szokasok-A355/jeles-napok-unnepi-szokasok-A596/januar-A5CC/januar-6-vizkereszt-A5F0/,%20https://www.arcanum.com/hu/online-kiadvanyok/MagyarNeprajz-magyar-neprajz-2/vii-nepszokas-nephit-nepi-vallasossag-A33C/szokasok-A355/jeles-napok-unnepi-szokasok-A596/januar-A5CC/januar-6-vizkereszt-A5F0/,%20http://www.arcanum.hu/hu/online-kiadvanyok/MagyarNeprajz-magyar-neprajz-2/vii-nepszokas-nephit-nepi-vallasossag-A33C/szokasok-A355/jeles-napok-unnepi-szokasok-A596/januar-A5CC/januar-6-vizkereszt-A5F0/,%20https://www.arcanum.hu/hu/online-kiadvanyok/MagyarNeprajz-magyar-neprajz-2/vii-nepszokas-nephit-nepi-vallasossag-A33C/szokasok-A355/jeles-napok-unnepi-szokasok-A596/januar-A5CC/januar-6-vizkereszt-A5F0/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=www.arcanum.com |language=hu}}</ref>

===India===
[[File:Pindi Perunnal 2019 In Kunnamkulam 03.jpg|thumb|[[Diya (lamp)|Diyas]] (lights) are used to celebrate Epiphany in some Kerala Christian households.]]
In parts of southern India, Epiphany is called the Three Kings Festival and is celebrated in front of the local church like a fair. This day marks the close of the Advent and Christmas season and people remove the cribs and nativity sets at home. In [[Goa]] Epiphany may be locally known by its [[Portuguese India|Portuguese]] name ''Festa dos Reis''. In the village of Reis Magos, in Goa, there is a fort called Reis Magos (Wise Men) or Três Reis Magos for Biblical Magi. Celebrations include a widely attended procession, with boys arrayed as the Magi, leading to the Franciscan Chapel of the Magi near the Goan capital of [[Panjim]].<ref>{{Citation |last1=Abram |first1=David |title=The Rough Guide to South India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sEhJBfbhTAAC&q=South+India+Epiphany+David+Abrams&pg=PA139 |year=2003 |isbn=978-1-84353-103-6 |access-date=January 5, 2015 |last2=Edwards |first2=Nick|publisher=Rough Guides }}</ref> Other popular Epiphany processions are held in [[Chandor]]. Here three young boys in regal robes and splendid crowns descend the nearby hill of Our Lady of Mercy on horseback towards the main church where a three-hour festival Mass is celebrated. The route before them is decorated with streamers, palm leaves and balloons with the smallest children present lining the way, shouting greetings to the Kings. The Kings are traditionally chosen, one each, from Chandor's three hamlets of Kott, Cavorim and Gurdolim, whose residents helped build the Chandor church in 1645.

In the past the kings were chosen only from among high-[[Caste system in India|caste]] families, but since 1946 the celebration has been open to all. Participation is still expensive as it involves getting a horse, costumes, and providing a lavish buffet to the community afterwards, in all totaling some 100,000 [[Indian rupee|rupees]] (about US$2,250) per king. This is undertaken gladly since having son serve as a king is considered a great honor and a blessing on the family.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Magi%E2%80%99s-journey-in-Chandor-includes-every-caste-8176.html |title=INDIA Magi's journey in Chandor includes every caste |publisher=Asianews.it |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref>

[[Cansaulim]] in South Goa is similarly famous for its Three Kings festival, which draws tourists from around the state and India. Three boys are selected from the three neighboring villages of Quelim, Cansaulim and Arrosim to present the gifts of [[gold]], [[frankincense]] and [[myrrh]] in a procession. Only a native of these villages may serve as king; outsiders are barred from the role. Throughout the year, excitement runs high in the villages to see who will be chosen. The boys selected are meticulously groomed, and must grow their hair long in time for the festival. The procession involves the three kings wearing jeweled red [[velvet]] robes and crowns, riding white horses decked with flowers and fine cloth, and they are shaded by colorful [[parasols]], with a retinue of hundreds.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.goaholidayhomes.com/info/130/cansaulim |title=Cansaulim village in Goa, Three Kings Feast in Cansaulim |publisher=Goaholidayhomes.com |access-date=December 22, 2011 |archive-date=July 7, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707003330/http://www.goaholidayhomes.com/info/130/cansaulim/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Feast-of-the-Three-Kings-today/articleshow/7225388.cms |title=Feast of the Three Kings today |date=January 6, 2011 |work=The Times of India}}</ref>

The procession ends at the local church built in 1581, and in its central window a large white star hangs, and colored banners stream out across the square from those around it. Inside, the church will have been decorated with [[garland]]s. After presenting their gifts and reverencing the altar and Nativity scene, the kings take special seats of honor and assist at the High Mass.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bharatonline.com/goa/festivals/feast-of-three-kings.html |title=Feast of Three Kings – Three Kings Feast Goa – Holy Epiphany Goa India |publisher=Bharatonline.com |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref>

The [[Saint Thomas Christians]] of [[Kerala State]], Epiphany is known by its Syriac name ''Denha''. Saint Thomas Christians, like other Eastern Christians, celebrate ''Denha'' as a great feast to commemorate the Baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan. The liturgical season ''Denhakalam'' ("Weeks of Epiphany") commemorates the second revelation at the Baptism and the subsequent public life of Jesus. ''Denha'' is celebrated on January 6 by the [[Syro-Malabar Church]] in two ways – ''Pindiperunnal'' ("[[Plantain (cooking)|Plantain]] trunk feast") and ''Rakkuliperunal'' ("Feast with a night bath").<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nasranifoundation.org/articles/xmas_denha.html |title=Christmas and Epiphany |publisher=Nasranifoundation.org |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref>

===Ireland===
The Irish call the day the Feast of the Epiphany or traditionally [[Little Christmas]] or "Women's Christmas" (Irish: ''{{Lang|ga|Nollaig na mBan}}''). On Nollaig na mBan, women traditionally rested and celebrated for themselves after the cooking and work of the Christmas holidays. The custom was for women to gather on this day for a special meal, but on the occasion of Epiphany accompanied by wine, to honor the Miracle at the [[Wedding at Cana]].{{citation needed|date=January 2014}}

Today, women may dine at a restaurant or gather in a [[public houses in Ireland|pub]] in the evening. They may also receive gifts from children, grandchildren or other family members on this day. Other Epiphany customs, which symbolize the end of the [[Twelve days of Christmas|Christmas season]], are popular in Ireland, such as the burning the sprigs of Christmas [[holly]] in the fireplace which have been used as decorations during the past twelve days.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/ACalend/NewYears.html |title=New Year's Day to Epiphany – World Cultures European |publisher=Irishcultureandcustoms.com |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref><ref name="rte.ie">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2024/0106/1103975-nollaig-na-mban-january-6th-ireland-roots-traditions-customs/ |title=The roots and traditions of Nollaig na mBan|date=January 6, 2024 |last1=McGarry |first1=Marion |website=[[RTÉ.ie]] }}</ref> In Ireland, certain traditions celebrate Epiphany to conclude the Twelfth Night of Christmas, and Christmas decorations should not be removed before this day.<ref name="rte.ie"/>

The Epiphany celebration serves as the initial setting for – and anchors the action, theme, and climax of – [[James Joyce]]'s short story "[[The Dead (Joyce short story)|The Dead]]" in his 1914 collection ''[[Dubliners]]''.

===Italy===
[[File:Epifania del Tallero 06.jpg|thumb|Epiphany celebration in [[Gemona del Friuli]], Italy]]
[[File:Italia - Spinello di Santa Sofia - Festa della Befana 2.jpg|thumb|[[Befana]] feast in [[Santa Sofia, Emilia–Romagna|Santa Sofia]], Italy]]

[[Christmas in Italy]] is one of the [[public holidays in Italy|country's major holidays]] and begins on 8 December, with the [[Feast of the Immaculate Conception]], the day on which traditionally the [[Christmas tree]] is mounted and ends on 6 January, of the following year with the Epiphany.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=November 25, 2013|title=The Best Christmas Traditions in Italy|url=https://www.walksofitaly.com/blog/things-to-do/christmas-traditions-in-italy|access-date=January 26, 2021|website=Walks of Italy|language=en-GB}}</ref>

In [[Folklore of Italy|Italian folklore]] and folk customs, the [[Befana]] (the name being a corruption of the word ''Epifania'') is a [[witchcraft|witch-like]] old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout [[Italy]] on Epiphany Eve (the night of January 5)<!-- Epiphany Eve is the day before Epiphany --> in a similar way to [[Santa Claus]] or the [[Biblical Magi|Three Magi]].<ref name="Ultimate Guide">Illes, Judika. ''Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses'' (2009) p. 269. {{ISBN|978-0-06-135024-5}}</ref> The Befana is a widespread tradition among [[Italians]] and thus has many names. She is a part of both popular national culture and traditional folk culture and is akin to other figures who roam about sometime during the [[Twelve Days of Christmas|Twelve Days]] and reward the good, punish the bad, and receive offerings. The Befana is a mysterious, contradictory figure of unclear origins. The legend told of her is that, having missed her opportunity to bring a gift to the child Jesus together with the Biblical Magi, she now brings gifts to other children on that night.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IKqOUfqt4cIC&pg=PA144 |title=Traditional Festivals |last=Roy |first=Christian |date=2005 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=9781576070895 |page=144 |access-date=January 13, 2015}}</ref><ref>Brand, John (1777). ''Popular Antiquities''. pp. 180, 183</ref>{{sfn|Martindale|1909}}

This character is enhanced by the fact that she is overall neglected by scholars but is the subject of much speculation by the ones who do mention her. Pre-Christian, Christian, and syncretism of the two have all been postulated as explanations of her origins. In some parts of Italy, especially the central regions, [[mumming]] takes place on Epiphany eve. Dolls are made of her and effigies are burnt and bonfires are often lit. She brings gifts to good children, typically sweets, candies or toys, but coal to bad children. She is usually portrayed as a [[hag]] riding a broomstick through the air wearing a black shawl and is covered in soot because she enters the children's houses through the chimney. She is often smiling and carries a bag or hamper filled with candy, gifts, or both. She is not only loved but also feared and mocked, particularly by children.

Written records of the Befana and Befanata date to the Middle Ages. Her origins are the subject of speculation by scholars who have variously proposed they lie in paganism, Christianity, or a mix of the two. John B. Smith said she, like her High German counterpart Perchta, is nothing more than the personification of Epiphany invented by medieval Christians who had a tendency to personify feast and fast days<ref>Smith 2004, pp. 3-4</ref> while [[Jacob Grimm]] found it not credible that two separate cultures would personify a feast day as a supernatural figure ("a name in the calendar had caused the invention of a supernatural being") and concluded it was far more likely that the Befana and Perchta were pre-Christian in origin and that they blended with the Christian holiday name.<ref name="Grimm">Grimm 1883, p. 282</ref> It has been pointed out that there was "a clear attempt to Christianize the disturbing female character by transforming her into the female personification of the feast."<ref name="Cattabiani">Cattabiani 1988, pp. 108-114</ref> Generally the pre-Christian origin is the one most proposed and the Befana is often said to be a goddess or the remnant of one, though what culture and time period she comes from has been less uniform. Cultures that have been proposed include Roman, Celtic, Neolithic farmers, and Paleolithic hunter-gatherers.

However, in some parts of today's Italian state, different traditions exist, and instead of the ''Befana'' it is the three Magi who bring gifts. in [[Sardinia]], for example, where local traditions and customs of the Hispanic period coexist, the tradition of the [[Biblical Magi]] (in [[Sardinian language]], ''{{Lang|sc|Sa Pasca de is Tres Reis}}'') bringing gifts to children is very present.

===Jordan===
{{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site
| WHS           = Baptism Site "Bethany Beyond the Jordan" (Al-Maghtas)
| image         = Bethany (5).JPG
| image_upright = 1
| caption       = [[Al-Maghtas]] ruins on the [[Jordan]]ian side of the [[Jordan River]], believed to be the location where [[Jesus of Nazareth]] was baptised by [[John the Baptist]]
| location      = [[Balqa Governorate]], [[Jordan]]
| ID            = 1446
| year          = 2015
| website       = {{URL|www.baptismsite.com}}
}}
Thousands of [[Christianity in Jordan|Jordanian Christians]], tourists and pilgrims flock to [[Al-Maghtas]] site on the [[Transjordan (region)|east bank]] of the [[Jordan River]] in January every year to mark Epiphany, where large masses and celebrations are held.<ref name="JoTimes2" /> "Al-Maghtas", meaning "baptism" or "immersion" in Arabic, is an archaeological [[List of World Heritage Sites in Jordan|World Heritage]] site in [[Jordan]], officially known as "Baptism Site "Bethany Beyond the Jordan" (Al-Maghtas)". It is considered to be the original location of the [[Baptism of Jesus]] and the ministry of [[John the Baptist]] and has been venerated as such since at least the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] period.<ref name="unescobof">{{Cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/archive/2015/whc15-39com-inf8B1-en.pdf |title=Evaluations of Nominations of Cultural and Mixed Properties to the World Heritage List: ICOMOS Report |date=August 2014 |publisher=UNESCO Organization |pages=49–50 |access-date=November 26, 2015}}</ref>

: {{bibleverse|John|1:28|NRSV}}: ''These things took place in [[Bethany]] beyond the Jordan, where [[John the Baptist|John]] was baptising''.

The site has then seen several archaeological digs, four papal visits and state visits and attracts tourists and pilgrimage activity.<ref name="JoTimes2">{{Cite web |url=http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/catholics-celebrate-epiphany-coexistence-faiths-baptism-site#sthash.arczgCyW.dpuf |title=Catholics celebrate Epiphany, coexistence of faiths at Baptism Site |date=January 9, 2016 |access-date=June 18, 2018}}</ref> Approximately 81,000 people visited the site in 2016, mostly European, American and Arab tourists.<ref name="no">{{Cite web |url=http://www.alghad.com/articles/1347432-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%AA-81-%D8%A3%D9%84%D9%81%D8%A7-%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%BA%D8%B7%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B6%D9%8A |title=الفرجات: 81 ألفا زاروا المغطس العام الماضي |date=January 2, 2017 |website=Al Ghad |language=ar |access-date=January 7, 2017 |archive-date=January 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103133540/http://www.alghad.com/articles/1347432-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D8%B1%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%AA-81-%D8%A3%D9%84%D9%81%D8%A7-%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A7-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%BA%D8%B7%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B6%D9%8A |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Latvia===
Epiphany is known in Latvia as ''{{Lang|lv|Trijkungu diena}}'' (Three Kings Day) by Catholics or ''{{Lang|lv|Zvaigznes diena}}'' (Star Day) by Lutherans after the custom of star singing, and the Star of [[Bethlehem]] which led the Magi to the Christ Child.<ref>{{Citation |last1=Baister |first1=Stephen |title=Latvia |date= 2007 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=98em68M_SmsC&q=Epiphany+Latvia&pg=PA31 |isbn=978-1-84162-201-9 |last2=Patrick |first2=Chris|publisher=Bradt Travel Guides }}</ref> In the past bright stars of fabric were sewn onto the background of dark colored quilts, representing the night sky. Epiphany was a day of enjoyment, spent in horse-drawn open [[sleigh]]s, and these quilts would then be taken along to cover the laps of the merry riders.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.liis.lv/ziema/svetki_un_dienas/zvaigznes.htm |title=Zvaigznes diena |publisher=Liis.lv |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108151852/http://www.liis.lv/ziema/svetki_un_dienas/zvaigznes.htm |archive-date=January 8, 2012 |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref> If Epiphany Day was bright and mild and the sun "warmed the horses' backs" it was said that the coming year would bring only peace. If the night before Epiphany saw clear starry skies, it meant Latvia could expect a fine harvest in the coming Summer. [[Weaving]] and wood-cutting were "bad luck", giving both men and women a proper holiday, and if a dog was heard barking on Epiphany one ought to look for his or her future spouse in that same direction. Special three-corner apple cakes are eaten on this day, and as in other countries, star singing, visiting and house blessings have long been popular.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Zvaigznes_Diena |title=Zvaigznes Diena – Definition |publisher=WordIQ.com |access-date=December 22, 2011 |archive-date=November 24, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124073623/http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Zvaigznes_Diena |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Lebanon===
Epiphany, celebrated on January 6, is the feast for the Roman Church that commemorates the visit of the Wise Men, the magi. However, in the Maronite Church, in accordance with the ancient tradition, it represents the public announcement of Jesus' mission when he was baptized in the Jordan by John the Forerunner, also known as "John the Baptist". On the occasion, Lebanese Christians pray for their deceased.<ref name="maronite1">{{Cite web |url=http://www.maronite.org.au/index.php?page=the-maronite-liturgical-year |title=Maronite Eparchy of Australia – The Maronite Liturgical Year |publisher=Maronite.org.au |access-date=January 6, 2014 |archive-date=July 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731011508/http://www.maronite.org.au/index.php?page=the-maronite-liturgical-year |url-status=dead }}</ref>

It is celebrated by attending church most often to the midnight mass by the [[maronites]]. The reason why it is at midnight is because the Christ will be passing to bless homes, also Lebanese Christians who gathered for the mass congratulate each other on that day by saying: "El Deyim Deyim" ({{langx|ar|دايم دايم}}) which translates as "The permanent is permanent". They also mix dough made out of water and flour only and it rises outdoors with no yeast by being blessed.<ref name="maronite1" />

===North Macedonia===
[[File:Vodoci vo Skopje stara.jpg|thumb|Epiphany procession in the capital of North Macedonia [[Skopje]] near Stone Bridge on the [[Vardar river]] in the early 1920s]]

Epiphany in North Macedonia is known as Vodici (Водици).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.makedonski.info/search/%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B8 |title=водици – резултати од пребарување – Дигитален речник на македонскиот јазик}}</ref> On this day the priest throws a wooden cross into the water, to symbolize the baptism of Christ.{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}} Men jump into the cold water to retrieve the cross, and whoever retrieves it is believed to be blessed during the whole year.{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}} These are very festive gatherings with many spectacles attending the sites. Special food jelly from pork and beef meat and bones called "pacha" (пача) or "pivtii" (пивтии) is prepared the day before, but served on the day after Epiphany, together with warm local [[brandy]], [[rakija]] (ракија).<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/06/epiphany-three-kings-day-photos_n_805245.html#s219882&title=undefined |title=Epiphany, Or Three Kings Day Celebrations Around The World (photos) |last=Wong |first=Curtis |date=January 6, 2011 |work=HuffPost |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref> Epiphany is a non-working day for the Orthodox believers in North Macedonia.<ref>[http://www.alfa.mk/default.aspx?mId=36&egId=6&eventId=44861 Vodici e neraboten den za pravoslavnite] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612204739/http://www.alfa.mk/default.aspx?mId=36&egId=6&eventId=44861 |date=June 12, 2012 }}, Alfa.mk. Retrieved January 5, 2015.</ref>

===Malta===
In Malta, Epiphany is commonly known as ''It-Tre Re'' (The Three Kings). Until the 1980s, January 6 was a public holiday, but today the Maltese celebrate Epiphany on the first Sunday of the year. Children and students still take January 6 as a school holiday and Christmas decorations are lit up through this day on most public streets. The Maltese also have a long-standing custom of presenting concerts in honor of Epiphany, including the prestigious annual Epiphany Concert organized by the Malta Council for Culture and Arts, performed by the [[Malta Philharmonic Orchestra|National Orchestra]]. In 2010, the Epiphany Concert which used to be held before a select audience, was opened to the general public following a decision by the [[President of Malta|President]]. The Ministry of Education and Culture therefore moved from the venue from the [[Grandmaster's Palace in Valletta|Palace]] to the historic Sacra Infermeria, also known as the Mediterranean Conference Centre.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20091222/local/epiphany-concert-opened-to-the-public |title=Epiphany Concert opened to the public |date=December 22, 2009 |website=The Times |location=Malta |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref> ''Qagħaq tal-Għasel'' or ''tal-Qastanija'' (Maltese honey rings) are typically served at Epiphany in Malta.

===Mexico===
The evening of January 5 marks the [[Twelfth Night (holiday)|Twelfth Night]] of Christmas and is when the figurines of the three Biblical Magi are added to the nativity scene. Traditionally in Mexico, as with many other Latin American countries, Santa Claus does not hold the cachet that he does in the United States. Rather, it is the Magi who are the bearers of gifts, who leave presents in or near the shoes of small children.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mexonline.com/history-lostresreyes.htm |title=Dia de Reyes, the story of Los Tres Reyes Magos |last=Ricardo Botto |publisher=Mexonline.com |access-date=September 26, 2013}}</ref> Mexican families also commemorate the date by eating ''[[Rosca de reyes]]''. In modern Mexico however, and particularly in the larger cities and in the North, local traditions are now being observed and intertwined with the greater North American Santa Claus tradition, as well as with other holidays such as Halloween, due to Americanization via film and television, creating an economy of gifting tradition that spans from Christmas Day until January 6.

===Peru===
[[File:Lascar Día de Reyes Magos procession (Celebration of Epiphany) (Ollantaytambo) (4578168158).jpg|thumb|Feast of Día de Reyes in Peru]]

Peru shares Epiphany customs with Spain and the rest of Latin America. Peruvian national lore holds that [[Francisco Pizarro]] was the first to call [[Lima]] "Ciudad de los Reyes" (City of the Kings) because the date of the Epiphany coincided with the day he and his two companions searched for, and found, an ideal location for a new capital. Even more popular in Peru than gift giving is the custom of the ''Bajada de Reyes'' when parties are held in honor of the taking down of family and public nativity scenes, and carefully putting them away until the next [[Christmas]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://celebrandonavidad.blogspot.com/2008/01/la-bajada-de-reyes.html |title=No Hay Navidad Sin Jesús: La Bajada de Reyes |last=Ricardo Botto |date=January 3, 2008 |publisher=Celebrandonavidad.blogspot.com |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref>

===Philippines===
In the Philippines, Epiphany is known as "Three Kings' Day" and ''Pasko ng Matatanda'' ("Feast of the Elderly"), and marks the official close of the country's [[Christmas in the Philippines|Christmas season]]. As a day of feasting, some [[Filipino people|Filipinos]] celebrate with gift-giving and greet each other "Happy Three Kings!".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Limpin |first1=Rogelio |title=Prelate urges Catholics to celebrate 'Epiphany' |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1020895 |access-date=12 May 2022 |work=Philippine News Agency |date=January 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190112220649/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1020895 |archive-date=January 12, 2019 |language=en}}</ref>

===Poland===
[[File:Kazimierz Nycz (12108245473).jpg|thumb|Epiphany celebration in [[Warsaw]], Poland]]

In Poland, Epiphany, or ''{{Lang|pl|Trzech Króli}}'' (Three Kings) is celebrated in grand fashion, with huge parades held welcoming the Wise Men, often riding on [[camel]]s or other animals from the zoo, in [[Warsaw]], [[Poznań]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.demotix.com/news/1709907/epiphany-day-procession-attended-thousands-poznan#media-1709893 |title=Ephiphany Day Procession attended by thousands in Poznan |publisher=demotix.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228021742/http://www.demotix.com/news/1709907/epiphany-day-procession-attended-thousands-poznan#media-1709893 |archive-date=December 28, 2013 |access-date=December 25, 2013}}</ref> and over 2,000 other cities. The Wise Men pass out sweets, children process in [[renaissance]] wear, carols are sung, and living nativity scenes are enacted, all similar to celebrations in Italy or Spain, pointing to the country's Catholic heritage. Children may also dress in colors signifying Europe, Asia, and Africa (the supposed homes of the Wise Men) and at the end of the parade route, church leaders often preach on the spiritual significance of the Epiphany. In 2011, by an act of Parliament, Epiphany was restored as an official non-working national public holiday in Poland for the first time since it was canceled under [[communism]] fifty years earlier.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.qppstudio.net/public-holidays-news/2010/poland_003882.htm |title=Poland Restores Epiphany Public Holiday |publisher=Qppstudio.net |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref>

Poles though take small boxes containing [[chalk]], a gold ring, [[incense]] and a piece of [[amber]], in memory of the gifts of the Magi, to church to be blessed. Once at home, they inscribe "K+M+B+" and the year with the blessed chalk above every door in the house, according to tradition, to provide protection against illness and misfortune for those within. The letters, with a cross after each one, are said to stand either for the traditionally applied names of the Three Kings in Polish – Kacper, Melchior and Baltazar – or for a Latin inscription meaning "Christ bless this house." They remain above the doors all year until they are inadvertently dusted off or replaced by new markings the next year.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://easteuropeanfood.about.com/od/polishchristmastraditions/a/threekings.htm |title=Feast of the Three Kings – How Poles Celebrate the Feast of the Three Kings – Trzech Króli |date=April 17, 2011 |publisher=Easteuropeanfood.about.com |access-date=December 22, 2011 |archive-date=June 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610042104/http://easteuropeanfood.about.com/od/polishchristmastraditions/a/threekings.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> On January 6, as in much of Europe, a Polish style Three Kings cake is served with a coin or [[almond]] baked inside. The one who gets it is king or queen for the day, signified by wearing the paper crown that decorates the cake. According to Polish tradition this person will be lucky in the coming year. Recipes vary by region. Some serve a French-type [[puff pastry]] cake with [[almond paste]] filling, others favor a [[sponge cake]] with almond cream filling, and yet others enjoy a light [[fruitcake]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.inyourpocket.com/poland/Three-Kings_72502f |title=Three Kings |publisher=inyourpocket.com/poland |access-date=December 25, 2013}}</ref>

Epiphany in Poland also signals the beginning of ''zapusty'' or [[carnival]] time, when ''[[pączki]]'' ([[doughnuts]]) and ''chrust'' ([[Angel wings]]) are served.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://easteuropeanfood.about.com/od/polishdesserts/r/kingcake.htm |title=Three Kings Cake Recipe – Recipe for Polish Ciasto Trzech Króli or Three Kings Cake |last1=Barbara Rolek |last2=About.com Guide |date=January 31, 2011 |publisher=Easteuropeanfood.about.com |access-date=December 22, 2011 |archive-date=February 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213055444/http://easteuropeanfood.about.com/od/polishdesserts/r/kingcake.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Portugal===
In Portugal, Epiphany, January 6, is called ''{{Lang|pt|Dia de Reis}}'' (Day of the Kings), during which the traditional ''[[Bolo Rei]]'' (King cake) is baked and eaten. Plays and pageants are popular on this day, and parents often hold parties for their children. Epiphany is also a time when the traditional Portuguese dances known as ''Mouriscadas'' and ''Paulitos'' are performed. The latter is an elaborate stick dance. The dancers, who are usually men but may be dressed as women, manipulate sticks or staves (in imitation swords) in two opposing lines.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.answers.com/topic/epiphany-portugal-dia-de-reis |title=Epiphany (Portugal) (Día de Reis): Information from |publisher=Answers.com |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref> It is a tradition too in Portugal for people to gather in small groups and to go from house to house to sing the ''{{Lang|pt|Reis}}'' (meaning "Kings") which are traditional songs about the life of Jesus. The singers also bring greetings to the owners of the house. After singing for a while outside, they are invited in, and the owners of the house offer them sweets, [[liqueurs]], and other Epiphany delicacies. These ''{{Lang|pt|Reis}}'' usually begin on Epiphany eve and last until January 20.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wickedlocal.com/hudson/news/x1599393688/Portuguese-Club-party-will-be-fit-for-a-king |title=Portuguese Club party will be fit for a king |last=Figueiredo |first=Jose M. |date=January 5, 2011 |publisher=Wickedlocal.com |access-date=December 22, 2011 |archive-date=April 6, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406023719/http://www.wickedlocal.com/hudson/news/x1599393688/Portuguese-Club-party-will-be-fit-for-a-king |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Portuguese village of [[Vale de Salgueiro]] encourages children, some as young as five, to smoke in a tradition that does not have clear roots.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2018-01-07/portuguese-town-encourages-children-to-smoke-at-epiphany |title=Portuguese Town Encourages Children to Smoke at Epiphany |last=Alves |first=Helena |date=January 7, 2018 |work=U.S.News |access-date=January 1, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://news.sky.com/story/portuguese-village-encourages-children-to-smoke-one-day-a-year-for-epiphany-festival-11199235 |title=Portuguese village encourages children to smoke one day a year for Epiphany festival |last=Staton |first=Bethan |date=January 7, 2018 |access-date=January 1, 2020 |publisher=Sky News}}</ref>

===Romania and Moldova===
[[File:Stamp of Moldova 341.gif|thumb|right|Star boys. Postage stamp depicting traditional Christmas and Epiphany star singing in Moldova.]]

In Romania and Moldova, Epiphany is called ''Boboteaza''. In south-eastern Romania, following religious services, men participate in winter horse races. Before the race, the men line up with their horses before the priest, who will bless them by sprinkling them with green branches that have been dipped into Epiphany holy water. Sometimes people desire to have this blessing for themselves as well. Winning the Epiphany race is a great honor for both horse and rider, while the post-race celebrations, win or not, are highly festive. As in other [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] heritage countries, water rites play a special role on this day.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://pocketcultures.com/topicsoftheworld/2010/01/07/boboteaza |title=Boboteaza (Epiphany in Romania) |last=carmen |date=January 7, 2010 |publisher=PocketCultures |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref> A unique piece of Romanian folk wisdom holds that if a girl slips on ice – or, better yet, falls into water – on Epiphany, she will surely marry before the year is out.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.crestinortodox.ro/datini-obiceiuri-superstitii/traditii-obiceiuri-boboteaza-68744.html |title=Tradiţii şi obiceiuri de Bobotează |publisher=Crestinortodox.ro |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref>

In [[Transylvania]] ([[Erdély]]/[[Siebenbürgen]]), [[Lutheran]] and [[Reformed Churches|Reformed]] Christians of [[Hungarians in Romania|Hungarian]] and [[Transylvanian Saxons|Saxon]] descent celebrate Epiphany with star singing and house blessing, as in [[Central Europe]]. The star singing custom had long ago spread throughout Romania and the Republic of Moldova. Here the star, called ''Steaua'', today resembles a stained-glass lantern and features an Orthodox icon at its center, a tradition pointing to the blending of both East and West which characterizes the two nations on the river [[Prut]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.roembus.org/english/communities/copii/romanian_winter_season_tradition.htm#The |title=Star Carol *Steaua |publisher=Roembus.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111208144616/http://www.roembus.org/english/communities/copii/romanian_winter_season_tradition.htm#The |archive-date=December 8, 2011 |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref>

===Russia===
[[File:RIAN archive 550903 Epiphany celebration in Maritime Territory.jpg|thumb|An ice hole is cut in the form of a cross in Russia to celebrate the Epiphany.]]

The Epiphany, celebrated in Russia on January 19 (January 6 according to the traditional [[Old Style]] Julian calendar) marks the [[baptism of Jesus]] in the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]]. As elsewhere in the Orthodox world, the Russian Church conducts the ceremony of the [[Baptism of Jesus | Baptism of the Lord]] ({{langx | ru | Крещение Господне}}), involving the rite of the [[Holy water in Eastern Christianity | Great Blessing of the Waters]], also known as "the Great Sanctification of the Water" on that day (or on the eve before).<ref name="bute">{{Citation |last1 =Bute (Marquess of) |first1 =John Patrick Crichton-Stuart |title =The blessing of the waters on the eve of the Epiphany: the Greek, Latin, Syriac, Coptic, and Russian versions, edited or translated from the original texts |url =https://books.google.com/books?id=FgEPAAAAQAAJ |pages=47 ''sq.'' |year=1901 |publisher=Oxford University Press |last2= Budge |first2= Sir Ernest Alfred Wallis}}</ref> The priest-led procession could simply proceed to the [[baptismal font|font]],<ref name=bute/> but traditionally the worshipers would go to a nearby lake or river.

Historical records indicate that the blessing of the waters events took place at the courts of [[Tsardom of Russia|Moscow Czars]] as early as 1525.<ref>{{Citation |last =Bushkovitch |first =Paul |title =Religion and Society in Russia: The Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries |url =https://books.google.com/books?id=vB0OqzCU5i4C&pg=PA42 |page =42 |year =1992 |publisher =Oxford University Press |isbn =9780195069464 | quote = The Epiphany procession and ceremony was the most magnificent that the court put on in the course of a normal year, rivalled only by coronations and weddings. It also clearly existed from at least 1525.}}</ref> Historians portray the blessing of the waters procession as the most magnificent of the annual Czar's court's ceremonies, comparable only to such special events as royal coronations and weddings. After a [[divine liturgy]] in the [[Moscow Kremlin|Kremlin]]'s [[Dormition Cathedral, Moscow|Dormition Cathedral]], a procession, led by the Czar and by the [[Patriarch of Moscow]] would proceed to the frozen [[Moskva River]]. An ice-hole would have been made in the ice, called ''[[Jordan River|Iordan'<nowiki/>]]'' ({{langx | ru | иордань}} in memory of the Jordan River), over which a small [[gazebo]] would have been erected and decorated with holy icons, one of which would depict the [[Baptism of Jesus|Baptism of Christ]]. The Patriarch would immerse his cross into the river's water; and sprinkle the Czar, his [[boyars]], and the banners of Czar's army's regiments with the holy water. A load of [[holy water]] would then be brought back to the Kremlin, to be used in blessing the Czar's palace.<ref>{{Citation |last =Bushkovitch |first =Paul |title=Religion and Society in Russia: The Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries |url =https://books.google.com/books?id=vB0OqzCU5i4C&pg=PA42 |page =42 |year =1992 |publisher =Oxford University Press |isbn =9780195069464}}</ref> A similar ceremony would later take place in the 19th century in the Imperial Russian capital, Saint Petersburg.<ref>
{{cite book
 |last1                = Hapgood
 |first1               = Isabel Florence
 |author-link1         = Isabel Florence Hapgood
 |year                 = 1895
 |chapter              = The Nevsky Prospekt
 |title                = Russian Rambles
 |url                  = https://books.google.com/books?id=MB40AAAAMAAJ
 |publication-place    = Boston
 |publisher            = Houghton, Mifflin
 |pages                = 57 - 58
 |access-date          = 4 April 2025
 |quote                = 
}}
</ref>
On a smaller scale, similar events would take place in the parishes throughout the nation.

Believing that on this day water becomes holy and is imbued with special powers, Russians cut holes called ''iordani<nowiki/>'' ({{langx | ru | иордани}}) in the ice of lakes and rivers, often in the shape of a cross, to bathe in the freezing water.<ref>{{Cite web |url =http://goeasteurope.about.com/od/moscowtravel/ss/moscowchristmasphotos_7.htm |title=Epiphany in Russia – Baptism of Jesus |date =December 9, 2011 |publisher =Goeasteurope.about.com |url-status =dead |archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20120112210944/http://goeasteurope.about.com/od/moscowtravel/ss/moscowchristmasphotos_7.htm |archive-date =January 12, 2012 |access-date =December 22, 2011}}</ref> This practice is said to have become popular comparatively recently; it was fairly uncommon in czarist times, but has flourished since the 1990s.<ref>Katia Moskvitch, [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12806831 Russia's trend for dipping children in frozen rivers]. Retrieved January 5, 2015.</ref>

Participants in the ritual may dip themselves under the water three times, honoring the [[Holy Trinity]], to symbolically wash away their sins from the past year, and to experience a sense of [[spiritual rebirth]]. Orthodox priests are on hand to bless the water, and rescuers are on hand to monitor the safety of the swimmers in the ice-cold water. Other attendees limit their participation in the Epiphany rites to those conducted inside churches, where priests perform the Great Blessing of Waters, both on Epiphany Eve and Epiphany (Theophany) proper. The water is then distributed to attendees who may store it to use in times of illness, to bless themselves, family members, and their homes; or to drink. Some Russians think any water – even from the taps of the kitchen sink – poured or bottled on Epiphany becomes holy water, since all the water in the world is blessed this day. In the more mild climate of the southern Russian city of [[Sochi]] meanwhile, where air and water temperatures both hover in the low to mid 10-degree Celsius range (50 degrees Fahrenheit) in January, thousands of people jump into the [[Black Sea]] at midnight each year on Epiphany and begin to swim in celebration of the feast.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

===Slovenia===
In Slovenia, especially in the Western part of the country, during the first day of the year and on Epiphany, children go from house to house because villagers will give them almonds, dried figs, nuts, cookies or other good things that they have at home.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.slovenska-istra.si/?lang=3 |title=Slovenska Istra- En |publisher=Slovenska-istra.si |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref>

===Spain===
In Spain and some Latin American countries, Epiphany day is called ''{{Lang|es|El Día de Reyes}}''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thelocal.es/20190103/why-spain-loves-the-three-kings-more-than-santa |title=Why Spain loves the Three Kings more than Santa |date=January 3, 2019 |website=thelocal.es |access-date=January 5, 2019}}</ref> i.e., the day when a group of Kings or Magi, as related in the second chapter of the [[Gospel of Matthew]], arrived to worship and bring three gifts to the baby Jesus after following a star in the heavens. In Spanish tradition on January 6, three of the Kings: Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar, representing Arabia, the Orient, and Africa, arrived on horse, camel and elephant, bringing respectively gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus. Before going to bed on the eve of January 6, children polish their shoes and leave them ready for the Kings' presents to be put in them. The next morning presents will ''appear'' under their shoes, or if the children are deemed to have misbehaved during the year, coal (usually a lump of hard sugar candy dyed black, called Carbón Dulce).<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.diamondsfordessert.com/2011/01/carbon-dulce-sweet-coal.html |title=Carbón Dulce (Sweet Coal) |publisher=diamondsfordessert.com |access-date=December 25, 2013}}</ref> Most towns in Spain arrange colorful parades representing the arrival of the ''Reyes Magos'' to town so children can see them on their camels or carriages and receive sweets and toys thrown to the crowds from the paraders, before they go to bed. The oldest of these parades is held in [[Alcoy]], [[Alicante province|Alicante]] ([[Valencian Community]]) which has hosted an annual parade since 1885.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.spain.info/en_US/que-quieres/agenda/fiestas/alicante/cabalgata_de_los_reyes_magos.html |title=ALcoy Three Kings Parade |publisher=Instituto de Turismo de España (TURESPAÑA) |access-date=December 25, 2013}}</ref> Sweet wine, nibbles, fruit and milk are left for the Kings and their camels. In Spain, children typically receive presents on this day, rather than on Christmas, though this tradition has changed lately, and children now receive presents on both days. The Epiphany bread/cake is known as ''[[Rosca de reyes|Roscón]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://spanishfood.about.com/od/dessertssweets/r/roscondereyes.htm |title=Twelfth Night Bread Recipe – Roscon de Reyes Recipe |last=Lisa & Tony Sierra |date=December 19, 2013 |publisher=Spanishfood.about.com |access-date=December 25, 2013 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304101247/http://spanishfood.about.com/od/dessertssweets/r/roscondereyes.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''[[Roscón|Tortell de Reis]]'' in Catalan, and in Mexico as ''[[Rosca de reyes]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://mexicanfood.about.com/od/tortillasandbreads/r/threekingsbread.htm |title=Rosca de Reyes |last=Chelsie Kenyon |date=December 18, 2013 |publisher=Mexicanfood.about.com |access-date=December 25, 2013 |archive-date=October 13, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013123416/http://mexicanfood.about.com/od/tortillasandbreads/r/threekingsbread.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Sweden===
Epiphany is a [[Public holidays in Sweden|public holiday in Sweden]], where it is known as ''{{Lang|sv|trettondedag jul}}'' ("Thirteenth Day Yule"), as January 6 is the thirteenth day after Christmas Eve, the main day on which Christmas is celebrated in Sweden. However, the end of the Christmas celebration is on January 13, [[St. Knut's Day]], more commonly known as "Twentieth Day Yule" (or "Twentieth Day Knut").

===United States===
[[File:KingCakesMadelineFrench.jpg|thumb|[[King cake]]s of the type locally called "French style" on display at the chain bakery/restaurant "La Madeline" branch in [[Carrollton, New Orleans]]. They come with cardboard "crowns" to be worn by whoever gets the slice with the token and becomes monarch of the event.]]

In [[Louisiana]], Epiphany is the beginning of the [[Carnival]] season, during which it is customary to bake [[King Cake]]s, similar to the Rosca mentioned above. It is round in shape, filled with cinnamon, glazed white, and coated in traditional carnival color sanding sugar. The person who finds the doll (or bean) must provide the next king cake. The interval between Epiphany and [[Mardi Gras]] is sometimes known as "king cake season", and many may be consumed during this period. The Carnival season begins on King's Day (Epiphany), and there are many traditions associated with that day in Louisiana and along the Catholic coasts of [[Mississippi]], [[Alabama]], and [[Florida]]. King cakes are first sold then, Carnival [[krewe]]s begin having their balls on that date, and the first [[New Orleans]] krewe parades in street cars that night.

In [[Puerto Rico]], Epiphany is an important festive holiday, and is commonly referred as ''{{Lang|es|Día de Los Tres Reyes Magos}}'' or ''Three Kings' Day''. It is traditional for children to fill a box with fresh grass or hay and put it underneath their bed, for the Wise Men's horses or camels, depending on the household. Sometimes, the grass is cut fresh by the children on January 5. Many artisans make commemorative traditional figures of the Magi on horseback. The Three Wise Men of Puerto Rico, according to local tradition, arrive on horseback instead of camels, as in other countries where the custom is also ingrained. The Three Wise Men will then take the grass to feed the horses and will leave gifts under the bed as a reward. In other households, the grass is "eaten" by the Magi's transport bedside to "strengthen them for the long night's journey", while the presents are delivered by the Magi as they did for child Jesus. These traditions are analogous to the customs of children leaving mince pies and sherry out for [[Father Christmas]] in Western Europe or leaving milk and cookies for [[Santa Claus]] like the rest of the United States. On the day before the feast (January 5), the "Rosario de Reyes" or "Promesa de Reyes" is celebrated with songs (locally called "aguinaldos") thanking or asking the Kings for their blessing, usually before a little table with figures of the Nativity and the Kings or with the Kings alone and their camels or horses. However, recently public concerts have also become popular.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.metro.pr/entretenimiento/2023/01/04/instituto-de-cultura-puertorriquena-presenta-especial-promesa-de-reyes/ | title=Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña presenta especial Promesa de Reyes | date=January 4, 2023 }}</ref>  This celebration is often accompanied with a chicken soup ("asopa'o"), snacks, and drinks.

In [[Colony of Virginia|Colonial Virginia]], Epiphany, or 12th Night, was an occasion of great merriment, and was considered especially appropriate as a date for balls and dancing, as well as for weddings. On 12th Night, Great Cake was prepared, consisting in two giant layers of fruitcake, coated and filled with [[royal icing]]. Custom dictated that the youngest child present cut and serve the cake and whoever found the bean or prize in the Twelfth Night cake was crowned "King of the Bean" similar to the European king cake custom.{{citation needed|date=January 2015}}

In [[Erie, Pennsylvania]], as part of an Epiphany party a king is hidden in a cake, and whichever child finds the king in the cake is crowned king for the day.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.erienewsnow.com/story/41521240/epiphany-party-held-at-saint-pauls-lutheran-church  |title=Epiphany Party Held at Saint Paul's Lutheran Church |last=Mizner |first=Elspeth |publisher=Erie News Now |date=January 5, 2020}}</ref>

[[Tarpon Springs, Florida]], is known for elaborate religious ceremonies related to the [[Greek Orthodox Church]], the most notable being the Epiphany celebration. The [[Metropolitan bishop|Metropolitan]] of Atlanta usually presides over the blessings, sometimes joined by the [[Archbishop of America]]. The blessings conclude with the ceremonial throwing of a wooden cross into the city's Spring Bayou, and boys ages 16 to 18 diving in to retrieve it. Whoever recovers the cross is said to be blessed for a full year. Following the blessings, the celebration moves to the Sponge Docks where food and music are made part of the festivities.<ref name="masslive1">{{Cite web |url=http://www.masslive.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2012/01/epiphany_festival_draws_travel.html |title=Epiphany festival draws travelers to Tarpon Springs, Florida |last=Staff |date=January 2, 2012 |publisher=masslive.com |access-date=November 27, 2012}}</ref> Tarpon Springs has given itself the nickname Epiphany City.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ctsfl.us/MayorCommissioner/Agenda/December13-2011/Feast%20Day%20of%20Epiphany%202012.pdf |title=Feast Day of Epiphany 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120810091404/http://www.ctsfl.us/MayorCommissioner/Agenda/December13-2011/Feast%20Day%20of%20Epiphany%202012.pdf |archive-date=August 10, 2012 |access-date=January 5, 2012}}</ref> The celebration attracts Greek Americans from across the country,<ref name="masslive1" /> and the city's population is known to triple in size for that day.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://suncoastpasco.tbo.com/content/2010/jan/02/pi-tarpon-springs-to-again-become-epiphany-city-us |title=Tarpon Springs to again become Epiphany City USA |last=Schantz, Mark |publisher=The Suncoast News |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105190544/http://suncoastpasco.tbo.com/content/2010/jan/02/pi-tarpon-springs-to-again-become-epiphany-city-us/ |archive-date=January 5, 2010 |access-date=January 5, 2012}}</ref>

In [[Manitou Springs, Colorado]], Epiphany is marked by the Great Fruitcake Toss. [[Fruitcake]]s are thrown, participants dress as kings, fools, etc., and competitions are held for the farthest throw, the most creative projectile device, etc. As with customs in other countries, the fruitcake toss is a sort of festive symbolic leave-taking of the Christmas holidays until next year, but with humorous twist, since fruitcake is considered with a certain degree of derision in most of the United States, and is the source of many jokes.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.colorado-for-free.com/FreeThingsToDoColorado/FruitcakeToss.htm |title=Great Fruitcake Toss |publisher=Colorado-for-free.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111223185245/http://www.colorado-for-free.com/FreeThingsToDoColorado/FruitcakeToss.htm |archive-date=December 23, 2011 |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gone-ta-pott.com/fruitcake_toss_day.html |title=Fruitcake Toss Day! |publisher=Gone-ta-pott.com |access-date=December 22, 2011 |archive-date=February 12, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210212024020/http://www.gone-ta-pott.com/fruitcake_toss_day.html |url-status=usurped }}</ref>

===Wales===
On January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany has long been an important celebration in Wales, known there as ''{{Lang|cy|Ystwyll}}''. In [[Glamorganshire]], a huge loaf or cake was prepared, which was then divided up into three parts to represent [[Christ]], the [[Virgin Mary]] and the Biblical Magi. A large company of neighbours was invited to be present at the dividing of the cake in which rings were concealed. Whoever discovered a ring in his piece of cake (or bread) was elected as King or Queen and presided over the day's festivities. January 6 was the [[Julian Calendar|old-calendar]] Christmas Day and many of the festivities connected with it lasted well over a century after the [[Gregorian calendar|new calendar]] was introduced in 1752.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

Wales shares other Twelfth Night customs with its neighbor, England, including the [[Yule log]], and the [[wassail]] to wish farmers a good harvest in the coming year, but here the Yule log's ashes were saved then buried along with the seeds planted in the ensuing spring to ensure a good harvest, while the wassail bowl was taken to the house of newlyweds or to a family which had recently come to live in the district and songs sung outside the house door. Those inside the house would recite or sing special verses, to be answered by the revelers outside.

Another Welsh custom associated with Epiphany was the Hunting of the Wren. A group of young men would go out into the countryside to capture a [[wren]] (the smallest bird in the British Isles after the goldcrest/firecrest). The bird would then be placed in a small, decorated cage and carried around from house to house and shown in exchange for money or gifts of food and drink. (If a wren could not be found then a [[Old World sparrow|sparrow]] would have to undergo the ritual.)<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.britannia.com/wales/culture2.html |title=Wales on Britannia: Welsh Culture & Traditions |publisher=Britannia.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19970816160612/http://www.britannia.com/wales/culture2.html |archive-date=August 16, 1997 |access-date=December 22, 2011}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

===Sources===
{{refbegin}}
* {{wikicite | ref ={{sfnref|Epiphanius}} | reference =Epiphanius, ''[[Panarion]]'', li, 27, in [[Migne]], ''[[Patrologia Graecae]]'' (P.G.), XLI, 936 (where it is called by its Latin name: ''Adversus Haereses'')}}
*{{cite CE1913|first=Cyril|last=Martindale|volume=5|wstitle=Epiphany}}
*{{cite book|last=Migne|first=Jacques-Paul |title=Patrologiae cursus completus, series graeca|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7BURAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA333|volume=2|year=1858}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book|chapter=[[s:Meditations For Every Day In The Year/From Christmas to Septuagesima Sunday#109|Christ to be Adored with Offerings]]|title=Meditations For Every Day In The Year|year=1823|publisher=Benziger Brothers|first=Roger|last=Baxter|author-link=Roger Baxter|location=New York}}
*{{cite book|chapter=[[s:Sermons (Massillon)/Sermon 27|Sermon XXVII: For the day of the Epiphany]]|title=Sermons by John-Baptist Massillon|year=1879|publisher=Thomas Tegg and Son|first=Jean-Baptiste|last=Massillon|author-link=Jean-Baptiste Massillon}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
{{wiktionary|Epiphany}}

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20141029114558/http://www.cresourcei.org/cyepiph.html The Epiphany Season] at the Christian Resource Institute
* [http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/The_Church_Year/Vigil-and-Feast-of-Epiphany.htm Rev. Fr. Leonard Goffine's The Church's Year: "On the vigil and feast of the Epiphany"]

{{Epiphany|state=expanded}}
{{Liturgical year of the Catholic Church}}
{{Christmas}}
{{Mexico Holidays}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Epiphany (holiday)| ]]
[[Category:Christian processions]]
[[Category:Christian terminology]]
[[Category:Christmastide]]
[[Category:January observances]]
[[Category:Greek traditions]]
[[Category:Eastern Orthodox liturgical days]]
[[Category:Alawite traditions]]