1/6/15

Epiphany (holiday)

Epiphany or Theophany is a Christian feast day that celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ.

In Greece, Cyprus and the Greek diaspora throughout the world, the feast is called the Theophany or colloquially called the Phōta and customs revolve around the Great Blessing of the Waters.


In Spain and some Latin American countries, Epiphany day is called El Día de los Reyes (The Day of the Kings, 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 Italy, the word "Epiphania" was transformed into Befana, the great fair held at that season, when sigillaria of terracotta or baked pastry were sold. In popular folklore, Befana visits the children of parts of Italy on the eve of January 6 to fill their socks with candy and presents if they had been good or a lump of coal or dark candy if they had been bad.



In Poland, Epiphany, or "Trzech Króli" (Three Kings) is celebrated in grand fashion, with huge parades held welcoming the Wise Men, often riding on camels or other Animals.


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