Epiphany 2014
Lithuania(01 of50)
Lithuanians dressed as the Three Kings, parade through the streets, during the Epiphany Day celebrations in downtown Vilnius, Lithuania, Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Epiphany, the 12th night of Christmas, marks the day the three wise men visited Christ. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis) (credit:AP)
Lithuania(02 of50)
Lithuanians dressed as the Three Kings, parade through the streets, during the Epiphany Day celebrations in downtown Vilnius, Lithuania, Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Epiphany, the 12th night of Christmas, marks the day the three wise men visited Christ. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis) (credit:AP)
Lithuania(03 of50)
Lithuanians dressed as the Three Kings, parade through the streets, during the Epiphany Day celebrations in downtown Vilnius, Lithuania, Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Epiphany, the 12th night of Christmas, marks the day the three wise men visited Christ. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis) (credit:AP)
Lithuania(04 of50)
People parade through the streets as part of celebrations of Three Kings Day in downtown Vilnius, Lithuania, Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Epiphany, the 12th night of Christmas, marks the day the three wise men visited Christ. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis) (credit:AP)
Poland(05 of50)
A man dressed as one of the Three Magi sits on a camel during Epiphany celebrations in Warsaw's Old Town on January 6, 2014. During Epiphany holiday, the visit of the Three Magi to the infant Jesus is commemorated. AFP PHOTO / JANEK SKARZYNSKI (Photo credit should read JANEK SKARZYNSKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Poland(06 of50)
Father with child are wearing paper crowns as they attend in an Epiphany procession in Warsaw, Poland on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Epiphany is a church holiday and a day off in predominantly Roman Catholic Poland, where Three Magi pageants are held in many cities.(AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski) (credit:AP)
Poland(07 of50)
Actors are dressed as the Three Magi and members of the Holy Family during Epiphany celebrations in Warsaw's Old Town on January 6, 2014. During Epiphany holiday, the visit of the Three Magi to the infant Jesus is commemorated. AFP PHOTO / JANEK SKARZYNSKI (Photo credit should read JANEK SKARZYNSKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Poland(08 of50)
A man dressed as one of the Three Magi sits on a camel during Epiphany celebrations in Warsaw's Old Town on January 6, 2014. During Epiphany holiday, the visit of the Three Magi to the infant Jesus is commemorated. AFP PHOTO / JANEK SKARZYNSKI (Photo credit should read JANEK SKARZYNSKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Poland(09 of50)
A man dressed as one of the Three Magi sits on a camel during Epiphany celebrations in Warsaw's Old Town on January 6, 2014. During Epiphany holiday, the visit of the Three Magi to the infant Jesus is commemorated. AFP PHOTO / JANEK SKARZYNSKI (Photo credit should read JANEK SKARZYNSKI/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Greece (10 of50)
A man holds a wooden cross after retrieving it from the sea during an Epiphany ceremony in Greece's northern port of Thessaloniki on January 6, 2014. Similar ceremonies to mark Epiphany Day are held across the country on river banks, seafronts and lakes.AFP PHOTO /Sakis Mitrolidis (Photo credit should read SAKIS MITROLIDIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Greece (11 of50)
A manholds a cross after retrieving it from the sea during the blessing of the waters marking Epiphany Day in a southern suburb of Athens on January 6, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ARIS MESSINIS (Photo credit should read ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Greece (12 of50)
An elderly woman kisses a wooden cross after being retrieved from the water during a ceremony to bless the water in Greece's Flisvos beach, at Paleo Faliro near Athens on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014 . Similar ceremonies to mark Epiphany were held across Greece on river banks, seafronts and lakes. An Orthodox priest throws a cross into the water and swimmers race to be the first to retrieve it. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) (credit:AP)
Greece (13 of50)
A wooden cross is on the air as swimmers jump to retrieve it during a ceremony to bless the water in Greece's Flisvos beach, at Paleo Faliro near Athens on Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Similar ceremonies to mark Epiphany were held across Greece on river banks, seafronts and lakes. An Orthodox priest throws a cross into the water and swimmers race to be the first to retrieve it. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) (credit:AP)
Greece(14 of50)
A manholds a cross after retrieving it from the sea during the blessing of the waters marking Epiphany Day in a southern suburb of Athens on January 6, 2014.AFP PHOTO / ARIS MESSINIS (Photo credit should read ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Philippines(15 of50)
Men dressed as the Three Kings on horses wave to children during Epiphany celebrations in Manila, Philippines, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014. Christmas in this dominantly Roman Catholic nation officially ends on the Feast of the Three Kings, also known as the Feast of the Epiphany. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) (credit:AP)
Philippines(16 of50)
Men dressed in costumes as the Three Kings meet and greet children on the streets of Manila on January 5, 2014, during an event to mark the end of the Christmas season in the Philippines. The Philippines is the largest Christian country in Asia and has one of the longest Christmas seasons in the world, lasting from December 16 to January 6. AFP PHOTO / Jay DIRECTO (Photo credit should read JAY DIRECTO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Philippines(17 of50)
Filipino children scramble to get candies from men dressed as the Three Kings riding horses during Epiphany celebrations in Manila, Philippines, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014. Christmas in this dominantly Roman Catholic nation officially ends on the Feast of the Three Kings, also known as the Feast of the Epiphany. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) (credit:AP)
Czech Republic(18 of50)
The procession of the three Kings Balthazar, Melchior and Caspar moves through the historical center of Prague, Czech Republic, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014. Prague Castle is in the background. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) (credit:AP)
Czech Republic(19 of50)
The procession of the three Kings Balthazar, Melchior and Caspar march through the historical center of Prague, Czech Republic, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014. Prague Castle is in the background. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) (credit:AP)
Czech Republic(20 of50)
The procession of the three Kings Balthazar, Melchior and Caspar march through the historical center of Prague, Czech Republic, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) (credit:AP)
Czech Republic(21 of50)
Polar swimmers finish their traditional Three Kings swim in the Vltava river underneath the Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic, Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) (credit:AP)
Czech Republic(22 of50)
Polar swimmers take part in the traditional Three Kings swim in the Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic, Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Prague Castle and the Charles Bridge is in the background. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) (credit:AP)
Spain (23 of50)
A man dressed as King Balthazar, one the three wise men or Kings, rides a camel during the Three Wise Men Parade (Cabalgata de Reyes) in Tenerife, on the Spanish Canary island of Tenerife on January 5, 2014, on the eve of Epiphany. Each year, parades are held across Spain on the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany, which celebrates the gospel story of the coming of three wise men to bring gifts to the Christ child. AFP PHOTO / DESIREE MARTIN (Photo credit should read DESIREE MARTIN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Spain(24 of50)
Dancers perform during the Three Wise Men Parade (Cabalgata de Reyes) in Tenerife, on the Spanish Canary island of Tenerife on January 5, 2014, on the eve of Epiphany. Each year, parades are held across Spain on the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany, which celebrates the gospel story of the coming of three wise men to bring gifts to the Christ child. AFP PHOTO / DESIREE MARTIN (Photo credit should read DESIREE MARTIN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Spain(25 of50)
A man dressed as King Melchior, one the three wise men or Kings, rides a camel during the Three Wise Men Parade (Cabalgata de Reyes) in Tenerife, on the Spanish Canary island of Tenerife on January 5, 2014, on the eve of Epiphany. Each year, parades are held across Spain on the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany, which celebrates the gospel story of the coming of three wise men to bring gifts to the Christ child. AFP PHOTO / DESIREE MARTIN (Photo credit should read DESIREE MARTIN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Spain(26 of50)
A man dressed as King Caspar, one the three wise men or Kings, rides a camel during the Three Wise Men Parade (Cabalgata de Reyes) in Tenerife, on the Spanish Canary island of Tenerife on January 5, 2014, on the eve of Epiphany. Each year, parades are held across Spain on the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany, which celebrates the gospel story of the coming of three wise men to bring gifts to the Christ child. AFP PHOTO / DESIREE MARTIN (Photo credit should read DESIREE MARTIN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Spain(27 of50)
A man dressed as King Melchior, one the three wise men or Kings, rides a camel during the Three Wise Men Parade (Cabalgata de Reyes) in Tenerife, on the Spanish Canary island of Tenerife, on January 5, 2014, on the eve of Epiphany. Each year, parades are held across Spain on the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany, which celebrates the gospel story of the coming of three wise men to bring gifts to the Christ child. AFP PHOTO / DESIREE MARTIN (Photo credit should read DESIREE MARTIN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Germany(28 of50)
EKENBACH-ALSENBORN, GERMANY - JANUARY 05: Children dressed as the three kings Balthasar, Melchior and Gaspar go Epiphany caroling on January 5, 2014 in Ekenbach-Alsenborn near Kaiserslautern, Germany. The children dressed as the three Magi go from house to house singing and asking for donations around 6th January. The donations support around 2,000 projects, which allow about medical care in camps or school attendance, trauma therapy and education for peace in war and crisis zones. (Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Germany(29 of50)
EKENBACH-ALSENBORN, GERMANY - JANUARY 05: Children dressed as the three kings Balthasar, Melchior and Gaspar go Epiphany caroling on January 5, 2014 in Ekenbach-Alsenborn near Kaiserslautern, Germany. The children dressed as the three Magi go from house to house singing and asking for donations around 6th January. The donations support around 2,000 projects, which allow about medical care in camps or school attendance, trauma therapy and education for peace in war and crisis zones. (Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Germany(30 of50)
BERLIN, GERMANY - JANUARY 06: German President Joachim Gauck, flanked by his partner Daniela Schadt, welcomes children Epiphany carolers dressed as the Three Kings at Schloss Bellevue palace on January 6, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. Children across Germany dressed as the Three Kings traditionally go from house to house between the end of December and Epiphany to sing and collect donations for cahritable causes. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Germany(31 of50)
BERLIN, GERMANY - JANUARY 06: German President Joachim Gauck, flanked by his partner Daniela Schadt, welcomes children Epiphany carolers dressed as the Three Kings at Schloss Bellevue palace on January 6, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. Children across Germany dressed as the Three Kings traditionally go from house to house between the end of December and Epiphany to sing and collect donations for cahritable causes. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Germany(32 of50)
BERLIN, GERMANY - JANUARY 06: Children Epiphany carolers dressed as the Three Kings walk toward at Schloss Bellevue palace to meet with German President Joachim Gauck and his partner Daniela Schadt on January 6, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. Children, called Sternsinger in German, across Germany dressed as the Three Kings traditionally go from house to house between the end of December and Epiphany to sing and collect donations for cahritable causes. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Germany(33 of50)
BERLIN, GERMANY - JANUARY 06: Children Epiphany carolers dressed as the Three Kings walk toward at Schloss Bellevue palace to meet with German President Joachim Gauck and his partner Daniela Schadt on January 6, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. Children, called Sternsinger in German, across Germany dressed as the Three Kings traditionally go from house to house between the end of December and Epiphany to sing and collect donations for cahritable causes. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Bulgaria(34 of50)
Bulgarians dive into the icy waters of a lake to catch a cross in Sofia as part of Epiphany Day celebrations on January 6, 2014. It is believed that the first man to grab the cross, thrown into the water by an Eastern Orthodox priest, will be healthy throughout the year. AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF (Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Bulgaria(35 of50)
Bulgarians dive into the icy waters of a lake to catch a cross in Sofia as part of Epiphany Day celebrations on January 6, 2014. It is believed that the first man to grab the cross, thrown into the water by an Eastern Orthodox priest, will be healthy throughout the year. AFP PHOTO / DIMITAR DILKOFF (Photo credit should read DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Bulgaria(36 of50)
Believers sing and dance in the river Tundzha as they celebrate Epiphany day in the town of Kalofer, Bulgaria, Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Traditionally, an Eastern Orthodox priest throws a cross in the river and it is believed that the one who retrieves it will be healthy through the year. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova) (credit:AP)
Bulgaria(37 of50)
Men perform a traditional dance in the icy winter waters of the Tundzha river in the town of Kalofer as part of the Epiphany Day celebrations on January 6, 2014. As a tradition, an Eastern Orthodox priest throws a cross in the river and it is believed that the one who retreives it will be healthy trough the year as well as all those who dance in the icy waters. AFP PHOTO / NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV (Photo credit should read NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
(38 of50)
Pope Francis visits a living nativity scene staged at the St. Alfonso Maria de' Liguori parish church, in the outskirts of Rome, Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. The Epiphany day, is a joyous day for Catholics in which they recall the journey of the Three Kings, or Magi, to pay homage to Baby Jesus. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) (credit:AP)
(39 of50)
Pope Francis visits a living nativity scene staged at the St. Alfonso Maria de' Liguori parish church, in the outskirts of Rome, Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. The Epiphany day, is a joyous day for Catholics in which they recall the journey of the Three Kings, or Magi, to pay homage to Baby Jesus. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) (credit:AP)
Bulgaria(40 of50)
A boy holds a cross as believers sing and dance in the icy waters of the river Tundzha to celebrate Epiphany day in the town of Kalofer, Bulgaria, Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Traditionally, an Eastern Orthodox priest throws a cross in the river and it is believed that the one who retrieves it will be healthy through the year. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova) (credit:AP)
(41 of50)
Pope Francis visits a living nativity scene staged at the St. Alfonso Maria de' Liguori parish church, in the outskirts of Rome, Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. The Epiphany day, is a joyous day for Catholics in which they recall the journey of the Three Kings, or Magi, to pay homage to Baby Jesus. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini) (credit:AP)
Vatican(42 of50)
Pope Francis leads the Epiphany mass in St. Peter's Basilica, in Vatican, on January 6, 2014. AFP PHOTO / VINCENZO PINTO (Photo credit should read VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Vatican(43 of50)
Pope Francis kisses a statue representing baby Jesus during the Epiphany mass in St. Peter's Basilica, in Vatican, on January 6, 2014. AFP PHOTO / VINCENZO PINTO (Photo credit should read VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Vatican(44 of50)
VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - JANUARY 06: Faithful dressed as three Magi gathered in St Peter's Square during the Feast of the Epiphany attend the Pope Francis' Angelus blessing on January 6, 2014 in Vatican City, Vatican. The Epiphany marks the coming of the three Magi who paid homage to the Christ Child born in Bethlehem two thousand years ago. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Vatican(45 of50)
VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - JANUARY 06: Faithful dressed as three Magi gathered in St Peter's Square during the Feast of the Epiphany attend the Pope Francis' Angelus blessing on January 6, 2014 in Vatican City, Vatican. The Epiphany marks the coming of the three Magi who paid homage to the Christ Child born in Bethlehem two thousand years ago. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Turkey(46 of50)
Greek Orthodox swimmer Alexandridis Georgos, 47 years old holds up the wooden cross they retrieved from the Bosphorus river's Golden Horn after a mass as part of celebrations of the Epiphany day at the Church of Fener Orthodox Patriarchiate in Istanbul, on January 6, 2014. The Orthodox faith uses the old Julian calendar in which Christmas falls 13 days after its more widespread Gregorian calendar counterpart on December 25. AFP PHOTO/OZAN KOSE (Photo credit should read OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Turkey(47 of50)
Greek Orthodox swimmer Alexandridis Georgos(R), 47 years old holds up the wooden cross they retrieved from the Bosphorus river's Golden Horn after a mass as part of celebrations of the Epiphany day at the Church of Fener Orthodox Patriarchiate in Istanbul, on January 6, 2014. The Orthodox faith uses the old Julian calendar in which Christmas falls 13 days after its more widespread Gregorian calendar counterpart on December 25. AFP PHOTO/OZAN KOSE (Photo credit should read OZAN KOSE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Cyprus(48 of50)
Swimmers try to catch a cross after it was thrown in the water, during an epiphany ceremony to bless the waters in southern city of Larnaca, Cyprus, Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Similar ceremonies to mark Epiphany Day were held across Greece and Cyprus at the sea and dams. An Orthodox priest throws a cross into the water and the swimmers race to retrieve it first. (AP Photo/Philippos Christou) (credit:AP)
Cyprus(49 of50)
A swimmer kisses a metal cross during an epiphany ceremony to bless the waters in southern city of Larnaca, Cyprus, Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Similar ceremonies to mark Epiphany Day were held across Greece and Cyprus at the sea and dams. An Orthodox priest throws a cross into the water and the swimmers race to retrieve it first. (AP Photo/Philippos Christou) (credit:AP)
Epiphany Is Celebrated At Vatican City(50 of50)
VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - JANUARY 06: A Befana gathered in St Peter's Square during the Feast of the Epiphany attends the Pope Francis' Angelus blessing on January 6, 2014 in Vatican City, Vatican. The Epiphany marks the coming of the three Magi who paid homage to the Christ Child born in Bethlehem two thousand years ago. (Photo by Franco Origlia/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
The Feast of the Epiphany, marking the end of the 12 Days of Christmas and the new season of Epiphany, is observed on Monday, January 6, 2014.
Epiphany -- which is variously known as Theophany, Three Kings Day and El Dia de los Tres Reyes -- is a Christian celebration of the revelation of the birth of Jesus to the wider world. This is embodied most in the story of three wise men visiting a newborn Jesus with gifts, found in the Gospel of Matthew 2:1-12.
In this story, Magi (wise men) from the east follow a star to Jerusalem, where they ask the presiding king, Herod, what he knows about a newly born "King of the Jews." This sounds like a challenge to Herod, who gathers his priests to learn where and who is this king. They relay a prophecy that Messiah will be born in Bethlehem, and Herod sends the Magi there, saying: "Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him." The wise men -- Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar -- eventually find Mary and her son, Jesus, to whom they bow and worship. The Magi give Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, and then return home, for a dream told them to bypass Herod.
While Roman Catholic and Protestant Christianity focuses on the story of the Magi, Eastern Christians, like the Greek Orthodox, celebrate the baptism of Jesus on Epiphany and consider the day to be more important than Christmas.
Traditionally, Epiphany is observed by blessing the home (recalling the Magi's visit to Jesus' family), blessing water (especially the Jordan River, where Jesus was baptized), exchanging gifts, performing "Magi plays" (to tell the story of Jesus' childhood) and feasting, most notably on a "King Cake."
Read or listen to T.S. Eliot's poem Journey of the Magi here.
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