Christian holiday
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Thank you for your feedback
Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
External Websites
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
- Epiphany - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
- Epiphany - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Thank you for your feedback
Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.
External Websites
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
- Epiphany - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
- Epiphany - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
Also known as: Feast of the Epiphany, Theophany, Three Kings’ Day
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Article History
Perugino:
See all media
- Also called:
- Feast of the Epiphany, Theophany, or Three Kings’ Day
- Related Topics:
- Jesus
- church year
- king cake
- holy days of obligation
- Twelve Days of Christmas
See all related content →
Top Questions
What is Epiphany?
What is Epiphany?
Epiphany is a Christian holiday primarily commemorating the Magi’s visit to the baby Jesus and the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. Eastern traditions, which usually call the holiday Theophany, focus on Jesus’ baptism, seen as the manifestation of Christ as both fully human and fully divine. Western traditions focus on the Magi’s visit, seen as the first manifestation of Christ as saviour of Gentiles as well as Jews. Epiphany is among the church’s oldest and most important feasts.
When is Epiphany?
When is Epiphany?
Epiphany is observed on January 6 by Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, and Christians of other Western traditions. Eastern traditions that follow the Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar celebrate Epiphany on January 19, since their Christmas Eve falls on January 6.
How is Epiphany celebrated?
How is Epiphany celebrated?
In many countries, Epiphany is celebrated with special pastries, and children often receive small gifts in their shoes in honour of the Magi’s gifts to the baby Jesus. In Eastern traditions, baptism is common during Epiphany, and houses may be blessed with holy water.
What is the origin of Epiphany?
What is the origin of Epiphany?
Epiphany originated in the Eastern church and at first included a celebration of Jesus’ birth. By 354 E Jesus’ birth was being celebrated in Rome on December 25, and later in the 4th century the church in Rome began celebrating Epiphany separately on January 6.
What does the name Epiphany mean?
What does the name Epiphany mean?
The name Epiphany comes from the Greek epiphaneia, meaning “appearance” or “manifestation,” and refers to the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the world. The holiday is also called the Feast of Epiphany, Theophany, or Three Kings’ Day.
Epiphany, (from Greek epiphaneia, “manifestation”), Christian holiday commemorating the first manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, represented by the Magi, and the manifestation of his divinity, as it occurred at his baptism in the Jordan River and at his first miracle, at Cana in Galilee. Epiphany is one of the three principal and oldest festival days of the Christian church (the other two are Easter and Christmas). Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, and other Western churches observe the feast on January 6, while some Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate Epiphany on January 19, since their Christmas Eve falls on January 6.
The festival originated in the Eastern church, where it at first included a commemoration of Christ’s birth. In Rome, by 354 Christ’s birth was being celebrated on December 25 (Christmas), and later in the 4th century the church in Rome began celebrating Epiphany on January 6. In the Western church the festival primarily commemorates the visit by the Magi to the infant Jesus, which is seen as evidence that Christ, the Jewish Messiah, came also for the salvation of Gentiles. In the East it primarily commemorates the baptism of Jesus and celebrates the revelation that the incarnate Christ was both fully God and fully man.
Britannica QuizPop Quiz: 19 Things to Know About ChristianityIn the West the evening preceding Epiphany is called Twelfth Night. The time between December 25 and January 6 is known as the Twelve Days of Christmas. Epiphany is celebrated with special pastries in many countries, and children often receive small gifts in their shoes in honour of the Magi’s gifts to the infant Jesus. The holiday also has a number of traditions involving water as a reflection of Jesus’ baptism, including the blessing of houses with holy water.
Ethiopian Orthodox Christians celebrate Epiphany, or Timket, with a major festival that begins the night before, on Ketera (January 18). In honour of Christ’s baptism, celebrants escort a replica of the Ark of the Covenant, a tabot, to a local body of water with great ceremony. The night is spent in prayer and hymn services. The following morning the congregation is blessed with holy water, and the tabot is brought back to its church in a colourful procession.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello.
