A stainglass window depicting Jesus and Mary, during Epiphany
(Picture: Pixabay, Pexels)As the nights get longer and the weather becomes colder, holidays like Christmas, Hanukkah, and Epiphany get us in the festive mood and keep us going.
Epiphany, also known as Little Christmas, is celebrated by Christians worldwide each year.
The special holiday has many names and a rich, centuries-long history behind it.
On the day of this year’s Epiphany celebrations, you might be wondering what the day is all about, its history, and how it’s celebrated.
What is Epiphany?
Epiphany is a Christian feast day that celebrates biblical occurrences. The day is also referred to as Theophany, Little Christmas, Three Kings’ Day, Reyes, and Baptism of Jesus.
What the day commemorates slightly differs between Western and Eastern Christianity.
In Western Christianity, the day marks the manifestation of Christ, his baptism, the Wedding at Cana where water was transformed into wine, which is the first miracle attributed to Jesus in the Gospel of John, and the Adoration of the Magi, where the three kings found Jesus by following a star.
In Eastern Christianity, known as Orthodox Christianity, the day solely celebrates the baptism of Jesus.
When is Epiphany?
Epiphany Eve, known as Twelfth Night, is celebrated 12 nights after the first night of Christmas, on December 25 and into 26.
Thus, traditionally, Epiphany is celebrated on January 6.
However, in modern times, some hold the celebration on the Sunday after January 1.
Orthodox Christians who follow the Julian calendar observe the day on January 19, given the 12-day difference between the Julian and the internationally used Gregorian calendars.
Western churches often come together to honour Epiphany Eve, also known as Twelfth Night.
How is Epiphany celebrated?
Traditionally, Epiphany sees children and young people walk from house to house, dressed in clothes that resemble the Three Magi, and sing.
Chalking the door, house blessings, and winter swimming are also common practices.
A popular way to celebrate is by eating the Three Kings Cake, which has a figurine representing Jesus hidden inside. Whoever gets the slice with the Jesus figurine inside, wins a prize.
Historically, Brits would make Twelfth Cake, a rich and dense fruitcake. The concept was similar to its European counterparts, but instead of hiding a single item to represent Jesus, the Brits would hide things like a clove and a twig, each representing a characteristic.
Similar to other special occasions in Christianity, many people attend church services.
Some Christians also mark the day by removing their Christmas decorations on Epiphany Eve.
