Knowra Epiphany Epiphany A Christian feast celebrated on January 6, commemorating the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the world. Western traditions chiefly associate it with the Magi; Eastern traditions often emphasize Jesus’s baptism.
Adoration of the Magi : The Gospel account of Magi visiting the child Jesus, celebrated in Christian art and worship. Western Epiphany observances center on the Magi as the first people beyond Israel to honor Christ.
Magi : Astrologers or sages from the East who visit Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. Their visit became the principal Western biblical basis for celebrating Epiphany.
Epiphany water blessing : A Christian rite blessing water on or around Epiphany, especially prominent in Eastern churches. The rite connects the feast’s baptismal theme with water used in worship and devotion.
Christmas : The Christian feast commemorating the birth of Jesus, traditionally celebrated on December 25 in many churches. Christmas celebrates Christ’s birth, while Epiphany emphasizes his manifestation to the world.
Theophany : The Eastern Christian feast commemorating Christ’s baptism and manifestation as the Son of God. Eastern churches often call the January 6 feast Theophany and emphasize the baptism rather than the Magi.
Gospel of Matthew : A canonical Gospel presenting the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Its account of the Magi supplies the feast’s central Western narrative.
Chalking the door : A Christian household blessing that marks a doorway with a year and the initials C, M, and B. Some Western households perform this Epiphany custom to invoke blessing for the home.
Candlemas : The Christian feast on February 2 commemorating the presentation of Jesus at the Temple. Candlemas is another feast in the Christmas cycle, but marks a later episode in Jesus’s early life.
Three Kings Day : A popular name for Epiphany in traditions that associate the feast with the Magi. The name makes the Western feast’s association with the Magi explicit.
Baptism of Jesus : The event in which John baptizes Jesus in the Jordan River, described in the Gospels. Eastern Christians connect Epiphany with this manifestation of Jesus at his baptism.
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