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About Epiphany

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About Epiphany

The Epiphany, on 6 January, is the twelfth day after Christmas. In Western churches it remembers the visit of the Magi, the wise men who followed a star to Bethlehem with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Epiphany means showing: Christ shown to all nations.

In Spain and Latin America it is Día de Reyes: children leave their shoes out, and the three kings bring gifts overnight. Families share a ring shaped cake, the roscón or rosca, with a small figure hidden inside. In Italy La Befana, a kind old woman, fills stockings with sweets.

In many homes the crib's three kings finally arrive, and doors are blessed with chalk. Eastern churches call the feast Theophany and remember the baptism of Jesus with the blessing of water, often in rivers and the sea; those on the Julian calendar keep it on 19 January.

  • 6 January
  • Also called Three Kings Day or Theophany
  • Ends the twelve days of Christmas

Where it began

Epiphany comes from a Greek word meaning appearing or showing. The Gospel of Matthew tells of wise men from the East who followed a star and brought gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Eastern churches call the day Theophany and mark the baptism of Jesus with the blessing of water. The feast is among the oldest in the Christian year.

How it grew over time

  1. 3rd and 4th centuries

    Christians in the East keep a feast on 6 January.

  2. Medieval period

    The wise men come to be called the Three Kings, and their feast spreads in Europe.

  3. Later centuries

    King cakes, chalk blessings on doors and children's processions grow as customs.

  4. Today

    Epiphany is a public holiday in several countries in Europe and Latin America.

How it is celebrated in different places

  • Spain and Latin America

    Parades of the Three Kings bring sweets, and children get gifts on the morning of 6 January.

  • France

    Families share a galette des rois with a small figure hidden inside.

  • Greece and Orthodox lands

    A priest throws a cross into the sea or a river, and swimmers race to bring it back.

  • Goa and Kerala

    Churches hold feasts of the Three Kings, with processions in some villages.

Epiphany today

Many families take down Christmas decorations, share a special cake and go to church. Some homes are blessed with chalk marks over the door for the new year.

How people celebrate Epiphany

  • The three kings arrive at the crib
  • Gifts left in shoes overnight
  • King cake with a hidden figure
  • La Befana fills stockings in Italy
  • Chalking and blessing the door
  • Blessing of water for Theophany
  • Taking down Christmas decorations

How to wish well

  • Happy Epiphany or a blessed Epiphany suit everyone; in Spanish say Feliz Día de Reyes, in Italian Buona Epifania or Buona Befana.
  • For Orthodox friends, Theophany may fall on 19 January. Ask which date they keep.
  • Light jokes about king cake and putting away the decorations are part of the fun.

Questions about Epiphany

When is Epiphany 2027?

Epiphany is on 6 January 2027. Some countries move the church feast to the nearest Sunday.

What is celebrated on Epiphany?

The visit of the wise men to the infant Jesus in the West; in Eastern churches, the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan.

What do you say on Three Kings Day?

Feliz Día de Reyes in Spanish, Happy Three Kings Day or Happy Epiphany in English, Buona Epifania in Italian.

What is a king cake?

A ring shaped sweet bread or cake eaten on Epiphany, with a small figure or bean hidden inside. Whoever finds it is often king for the day.

Who is La Befana?

In Italian folk tradition, La Befana is a kind old woman who flies on a broom on the night before Epiphany and fills children's stockings with sweets.

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