Epiphany celebration: How is it celebrated and why does it have other names?

Christians worldwide celebrate Epiphany on Jan. 6. It's known by different names and involves parades, gift-giving, and water blessings.

Christians worldwide will be celebrating the Epiphany on January 6th, a holiday known by various names such as the Feast of Epiphany, Three Kings Day, and Theophany. This diversity in names stems from different traditions and focuses within the Christian faith.

In Western Christian churches, the feast day is referred to as Three Kings Day, commemorating the visit of the three Magi to the infant Jesus. This day marks the twelfth day after Christmas and signifies the conclusion of the Christmas season. On the other hand, Eastern traditions call it Theophany, emphasizing the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, also known as the Baptism of Christ.

The term "Epiphany" is derived from the Greek word "epiphaneia," meaning "appearance" or "manifestation." It signifies the manifestation of Jesus to the world, as described in Encyclopedia Britannica.

The celebrations of Epiphany vary across different regions. In Spain, Catholics partake in parades featuring decorative floats with individuals dressed as the biblical kings who brought gifts to the infant Jesus. Children in Spain and certain parts of Latin America receive gifts on this day, a tradition distinct from the Christmas Day gift-giving by Santa Claus in other parts of the world. Meanwhile, Greeks observe Epiphany with the blessing of waters ceremonies, a practice primarily followed by Orthodox Christians. In Bulgaria, a unique ritual involves individuals plunging into rivers and lakes to retrieve crucifixes, symbolizing the Apparition of Christ.

The date of Epiphany is also subject to variation within different Orthodox Christian churches. Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania celebrate the feast on January 6th, while those following the Julian calendar, such as Russia, Serbia, and Ukraine, observe it on January 19th due to their Christmas Eve falling on January 6th.

The origin of Epiphany can be traced back to the Eastern church, where it initially encompassed the celebration of Jesus' birth. However, by the fourth century, the church in Rome began to observe Epiphany separately on January 6th, as stated in Encyclopedia Britannica.

In conclusion, the Epiphany is a significant holiday in the Christian calendar, marked by diverse traditions, names, and celebrations across different regions and denominations. It serves as a reminder of the manifestation of Jesus to the world and holds deep spiritual and cultural significance for believers worldwide.