Epiphany

Epiphany History

Epiphany celebrates the revelation of God’s son, Jesus Christ, in human form. In Western Christianity, this observance primarily commemorates the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus, an event symbolising Christ’s physical manifestation to the Gentiles. Traditionally, it is a day for the blessing of homes and Epiphany processions. Celebrations also involve a range of customs across different Christian communities, including communal meals, parties, and the distribution of gifts.

The Epiphany has been observed since the 4th Century, initially in the Eastern Church before it eventually spread to the West. For Australian Christians, Epiphany carries a rich historical significance rooted in these early Christian traditions. Some parishes in Australia notably celebrate the Epiphany by replicating the journey of the Wise Men to find Jesus.

Epiphany is typically observed on the first Sunday of January, although some Orthodox Churches may choose to mark the day on January 19. Customs may include an Epiphany feast featuring a special cake known as the "Kings’ Cake", as well as Epiphany carols. Some communities also apply chalk markings on doors as a symbol of Christ's presence and protection throughout the year.

Top facts about Epiphany

• Epiphany Day is celebrated as a public holiday in Sweden, Finland and Iceland. Denmark and Norway do not have the day off, but do hold special mass and church services. The day is also a holiday throughout much of Eastern Europe.
• In some Eastern Orthodox Christian communities, Epiphany is celebrated by a procession to the nearest river, lake, or pond. The priest blesses the water and he throws a cross in the waves. People dive into the water to retrieve the cross, and the one who finds it is thought to be particularly blessed in the New Year.
• In many Orthodox Christian churches, a cross is thrown into water bodies like rivers, lakes or sea and men dive into the waters to retrieve it.
• The Epiphany festival marks the visit of the three wise men, or magi, to the infant Jesus in Bethlehem, guided by a star. This event represents the revelation of God in human form, and is given high importance in the Christian realm.

In the News and Trending in Australia for Epiphany

Top things to do for Epiphany

• Take down any decorations, you should have taken these down on Knut’s Day, the day before Epiphany, but if you’ve been too busy eating, today is the day to get them down.
• In some Western churches, church members share king cake, similar to the pastry served on Mardi Gras in New Orleans. A coin or bean is cooked into the cake, and whoever receives them gets to wear a crown for a day.
• Plan a community gathering or street party with a festive theme. Encourage participants to wear crowns or costumes representing the Three Wise Men. Have crafts and activities for children, such as making crowns or coloring pages related to the story of the Magi.
• A traditional activity is to bake or purchase a King Cake or Galette des Rois. This cake is filled with almond paste or cream and often has a small figurine or coin hidden inside. The person who finds the hidden item is considered lucky and gets to be the "king" or "queen" for the day.