Epiphany season facts for kids
The Epiphany season is a special time in the Christian calendar. Many Christian churches celebrate it. It comes right after the Christmas season. This season starts on Epiphany Day. Epiphany Day is usually on January 6th. It celebrates when Jesus was revealed to the world. The season ends at different times for different churches. For example, some end it on Candlemas. The main color for Epiphany Day is white. The color for the rest of the Epiphany season is often green.
During this time, families have special customs. Some people sing carols about Epiphany. Others write special blessings on their doors with chalk. This is called chalking the door. Families might also invite their pastor to bless their home.
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Epiphany Celebrations in Western Churches
Many Christian churches in the Western world celebrate the Epiphany season. They all share the idea of celebrating Jesus being revealed. But they have slightly different ways and dates for their celebrations.
Catholic Church Traditions
In the Catholic Church, the time after Epiphany is part of the Christmas season. The Christmas season officially ends on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. This feast is usually on the Sunday after Epiphany. Even though it is not a separate season, special prayers are used in Mass from Epiphany onward.
For many Catholics, Epiphany is moved to the Sunday between January 2nd and 8th. This creates a special eight-day period. It is like a mini-celebration between Epiphany Sunday and the Baptism of the Lord Sunday. After the Christmas season, the church calendar moves into a period called Ordinary Time.
Some older Catholic traditions also celebrate Epiphany with a special eight-day period. This runs from January 6th to the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on January 13th. These Sundays are called "Sundays after Epiphany." They continue until the start of Pre-Lent.
There are also special Catholic groups for former Anglicans. They have their own way of celebrating. Their Epiphanytide runs from the Monday after the Baptism of the Lord. It continues until the day before Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is the start of Lent.
Other Western Christian Celebrations
Other Western Christian churches also have their own Epiphany traditions.
- Moravian Church: In the Moravian Church, the Epiphany season lasts until the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. White is used for Epiphany Day. Green is the color for the other Sundays in the season.
- Lutheran Church: Lutherans celebrate Epiphanytide from Epiphany Day. It can last until three Sundays before Shrove Tuesday. Or it can last until the day before Ash Wednesday.
- Anglican Church: The Anglican Church has "Sundays after Epiphany." These are used until a time called Septuagesima. The Church of England also has an optional Epiphany season. This season starts the evening before Epiphany. It ends on Candlemas. Candlemas celebrates when Jesus was presented at the Temple. This feast is on February 2nd or a nearby Sunday.
- Methodist Church: In Methodism, the Epiphany season runs from Epiphany Day until Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. White is used for Epiphany Day, the Baptism of the Lord, and the Feast of the Transfiguration. Green is used for the rest of the season.
Epiphany Celebrations in Eastern Churches
Eastern Christian churches also celebrate Epiphany. Their traditions often focus on the baptism of Jesus.
Greek Orthodox Traditions
In the Greek Rite (used by Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic churches), Epiphany is on January 6th. On the evening before, special services are held. These services tell the story of Jesus's baptism.
After these services, there is a "Great Blessing of the Water." The priest dips a cross into water three times. Then, he blesses the people with this water. It is common for people to drink this blessed water. They also take some home to use throughout the year.
Syriac Church Traditions
The East Syriac Rite calls this period the Season of Epiphany, or Denha. This season starts on a Sunday between January 2nd and 6th. Or it starts on January 6th itself. It continues until the first Sunday of Lent. This is about seven weeks before Easter.
During this season, they celebrate special feast days on Fridays. These days honor important figures. These include John the Baptist, Peter and Paul, and the Four Evangelists. They also honor important teachers and saints.
The West Syriac Rite also celebrates Epiphany. They call it Denho, meaning "appearance" or "sunrise." This season begins on January 6th, with the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. For some Syriac churches, this is a traditional time for new members to join the Church. Many families in Maronite culture choose to have their babies baptized and confirmed on or after Denho.
