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Epiphany

Find the date for Epiphany 2014 in the multifaith calendar

Decoration showing the three kings on camelback following the star ©

The Epiphany is an ancient Christian feast day and is significant in a number of ways. In the , where it originated, the Epiphany celebrates the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. It also celebrates Jesus' birth.

The Western Church began celebrating the Epiphany in the 4th century where it was, and still is, associated with the visit of the magi (wise men) to the infant Jesus when God revealed himself to the world through the incarnation of Jesus. According to Matthew 2:11 they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

For many Protestant church traditions, the season of Epiphany extends from 6 January until , which begins the season of leading to .

Other traditions, including the Roman Catholic tradition, observe Epiphany as a single day, with the Sundays following Epiphany counted as Ordinary Time.

In the Spanish speaking world Epiphany is also known as Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day).

Epiphany in Russian Orthodoxy

In 2008 Peter Owen Jones travelled to Moscow and at the rebuilt St Xavier's Orthodox Cathedral experienced a celebration of Epiphany. He also found in post-Soviet times a small, diminishing but still committed tradition surviving.

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• Christmas