Current:Home > reviewsWhat is the Epiphany? Why is it also called Three Kings Day? And when do Christians celebrate it? -ProgressCapital
What is the Epiphany? Why is it also called Three Kings Day? And when do Christians celebrate it?
View
Date:2025-04-15 09:01:05
Christians around the world will mark the Epiphany on Jan. 6 with a series of celebrations that go from parades and gift-giving for children to the blessing of water. The holiday is also called the Feast of Epiphany, Three Kings Day and Theophany.
Why is it known with different names?
Some Western Christian churches know the feast day as Three Kings Day. It recalls the visit of three Magi, or wise men, to the infant Jesus, and their sense of wonder at the encounter. It is the 12th day after Christmas and closes the Christmas season.
Eastern traditions call it Theophany, and they focus on the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. Orthodox Christians also know it as the Baptism of Christ.
What does Epiphany mean?
The Greek word “epiphaneia” means “appearance” or “manifestation,” and it refers to the manifestation of Jesus to the world, according to Encyclopedia Britannica.
How is it celebrated?
The day is often celebrated by Catholics in Spain with parades that include decorative floats carrying people dressed as the biblical kings who brought gifts to the infant Jesus. Children in Spain and in some parts of Latin America traditionally unwrap holiday gifts that elsewhere in the world are delivered by Santa Claus on Christmas Day.
Greeks celebrate Epiphany with blessing of the waters ceremonies across the country, which is primarily Orthodox.
In Bulgaria, some observers plunge into rivers and lakes to retrieve crucifixes, in an old ritual marking the feast of Epiphany, also known as the Apparition of Christ.
By tradition, a crucifix is cast into the waters of a lake or river. It’s believed that the person who retrieves it will be freed from evil spirits and will be healthy through the year. After the cross is fished out, the priest sprinkles believers with water using a bunch of basil.
When is it celebrated?
Orthodox Christian churches in Bulgaria, Greece and Romania celebrate the feast on Jan. 6. But for Orthodox Churches in Russia, Serbia and Ukraine that follow the Julian calendar, Epiphany is celebrated on Jan. 19, as their Christmas Eve falls on Jan. 6.
What is the origin of Epiphany?
It originated in the Eastern church and originally included a celebration of the birth of Jesus, according to Encyclopedia Britannica, which in its entry says that by the fourth century, the church in Rome began celebrating Epiphany separately on Jan 6.
__
Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
veryGood! (879)
Related
- Pregnant Kylie Kelce Shares Hilarious Question Her Daughter Asked Jason Kelce Amid Rising Fame
- 1 in 4 Americans today breathes unhealthy air because of climate change. And it's getting worse.
- Republican effort to restore abortion rights in Missouri folds
- Shaq, Ye and Elon stroll by Taylor Swift's Super Bowl suite. Who gets in?
- Tony Hawk drops in on Paris skateboarding and pushes for more styles of sport in LA 2028
- Chiefs' Travis Kelce packs drama into Super Bowl, from blowup with coach to late heroics
- Lowest and highest scoring Super Bowl games of NFL history, and how the 2024 score compares
- Marathon World-Record Holder Kelvin Kiptum Dead at 24 After Car Crash
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- New Mexico officer killed in stabbing before suspect is shot and killed by witness, police say
Ranking
- Audit: California risked millions in homelessness funds due to poor anti-fraud protections
- Nor'easter, snow and storms forecast across New England through Tuesday
- Why Taylor Swift Has Never Headlined the Super Bowl Halftime Show
- Lowest and highest scoring Super Bowl games of NFL history, and how the 2024 score compares
- Small twin
- Can candy be a healthy Valentine's Day snack? Experts share how to have a healthy holiday.
- Police identify Genesse Moreno as shooter at Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church: What we know
- Who has the most Super Bowl wins? The teams and players with the most rings in NFL history
Recommendation
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
'Fourteen Days' is a time capsule of people's efforts to connect during the pandemic
Less is more? Consumers have fewer choices as brands prune their offerings to focus on best sellers
Jen Pawol on verge of becoming first MLB female umpire, gets full-time spring training assignment
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Senate clears another procedural hurdle on foreign aid package in rare Sunday vote
Kyle Shanahan relives his Super Bowl nightmare as 49ers collapse yet again
Bob's Red Mill founder, Bob Moore, dies at 94