Epiphany, Or Three Kings Day Celebrations Around The World (PHOTOS)

Though Christmas may be fading into memory for much of the western world (save for those lingering credit card bills), many eastern nations are just now getting into the holiday spirit with festive celebrations of the Epiphany.

For Orthodox Christians who use the Julian calendar -- 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar adopted by Catholics and Protestants -- Christmas falls on Jan. 7. However, those celebrations have since been commemorated by many western Christians as "Three Kings Day," or the visitation of the Magi to the infant Jesus.

In Greece, Cyprus and Turkey, the occasion was marked by daring swimming races, while in Romania, celebrations take on an equestrian flair in many rural villages. Meanwhile, to the west, children of all ages donned regal costumes for festive parades in countries like the Czech Republic and Poland.

See photos of nations celebrating the Epiphany here:

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Cyprus

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Swimmers combated to catch a metal cross during an epiphany ceremony to bless the waters in southern city of Larnaca, Cyprus.

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Swimmers combated to catch a metal cross during an epiphany ceremony to bless the waters in southern city of Larnaca, Cyprus.

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Ho-hum Merry!

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Epiphany Celebrations

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Epiphany Celebrations

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Comments

[drjasonmd]

03:38 PM on 01/07/2011

Wow, HuffPo. How is it Mexico didn't make the list? We're right on your southern border, remember?

[drjasonmd]

03:37 PM on 01/07/2011

Since when is Bethlehem in Israel?

[Nunyabiz1]

10:01 AM on 01/07/2011

This nonsense like all of religion comes from Astrology.

The "Three Kings" are the stars that make up Orions Belt, during the winter solstice they follow the star Sirius across the sky and hoover over it.
The tall tale of the 3 magi is just an allegorical tale about those 3 stars in the sky.

Same with Jesus, John the Baptist etc all allegorical characters based on celestial bodies.

How truly sad to see such pure nonsense still alive and well in the 21st century, I am wondering when or if ever human beings are going to crawl out from the Pre Dark Ages.

[nealeffendi]

05:39 AM on 01/07/2011

We have a new tradition here in Australia for our (Orthodox) Christmas (7/1/2010). Major police security for the first time outside the church last night for Christmas Eve service. All thanks to a number of bombing threats that started PRIOR to the bombing in Alexandria.
For some reason the media doesn't seem to be covering whats really simmering below the service and whats causing it.
Biggest news story on Australian TV? a cricket game.

[ForVivi]

09:09 PM on 01/06/2011

I'm disapointed they did not list Mexico's tradition of eating "rosca de reyes", which is a delicious bread ring adorned with crystallized fruit and containing a plastic baby Jesus figure inside it. Whoever gets the baby must host a party the following month.

Also, some children receive presents on this day rather than on Christmas. Makes more sense and parents can take advantage of after-Christmas sales.

[mrs adler]

06:26 PM on 01/07/2011

In Spain, the one who gets the little thingy (it can be anything) is the king of the year and... it basically means good luck for the finder.

We all do get presents on the night of the 5th to the 6th but after-Christmas sales begin on the 7th... a logical decision.

[GraniteSkyline]

05:46 PM on 01/06/2011

Merry Twelfth Day of Christmas everyone!

[LMPE]

04:45 PM on 01/06/2011

I already knew about Epiphany. A bunch of my Russian friends wrote "Happy Orthodox Christmas" on their Facebook pages.

[GraniteSkyline]

05:44 PM on 01/06/2011

That's not the same as the Epiphany.

[mrs adler]

04:44 PM on 01/06/2011

I'm Spanish and the tying of baubles to geese is a completely new tradition to me. Poor things.

[eaeleven]

05:13 PM on 01/06/2011

Yup. Cockfighting is way better tradition.

[mrs adler]

05:28 PM on 01/06/2011

I am Spanish, not Mexican/South American, here cockfighting is banned except in some retarded cities in the south. By the way, there is an ocean in between South America/Spain google it, it is wonderful.

Plus, from where have you infered I suport cockfighting or any kind of animal cruelty? Becuase I don't see any room for irony in my previous sentence, so your only way out (forgetting your cultural misinformation) is a misreading. Therefore, read more carefully!

[drjasonmd]

03:40 PM on 01/07/2011

FAILpost.

[piul05]

06:21 PM on 01/06/2011

I've been both to Salamanca and Santiago de Compostela on this date, and never heard of such ritual either.

Obviously, Spain is a big enough country to hold various traditions in all of her different regions - still, that's news to me.

[mrs adler]

06:21 PM on 01/07/2011

It's great to see some Spanish people/visitors over here. I'm glad I am not only one who hasn't seen this!

[Murphdogg]

03:46 PM on 01/06/2011

20CMB11