Epiphany - a Christian Feast

Epiphany ("manifestation", "striking appearance") or Theophany ("vision of God"), which traditionally falls on January 6, is a Christian Feast day that celebrates the revelation of God the Son as a human being in Jesus Christ.

Western Christians commemorate principally (but not solely) the visit of the Magi to the Baby Jesus, and thus Jesus' physical manifestation to the Gentiles. Eastern Christians commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan, seen as his manifestation to the world as the Son of God.

Eastern churches following the Julian Calendar observe the Theophany Feast on what for most countries is January 19 because of the 13-day difference today between that calendar and the generally used Gregorian calendar.

Since 1970, the rule for the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church is: "The Epiphany of the Lord is celebrated on January 6, unless, where it is not observed as a Holy day of obligation, it has been assigned to the Sunday occurring between January 2 and 8."

In the Church of England also, the feast may be celebrated on the Sunday between January 2 and 8 inclusive although the official date of Epiphany in the UK is always January 6, a separate celebration of the Baptism of the Lord was introduced for Latin Rite Roman Catholics in 1955. Initially, this was to be held on January 13, previously the octave day of the Epiphany, but in the 1969 revision of the General Roman Calendar the date was changed to the first Sunday after January 6.

In countries where in a particular year the Epiphany falls on January 7 or 8, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord is celebrated on the following Monday.

In the Church of England, the same custom may be followed. In the Episcopal Church in the United States, the feast of the Baptism of the Lord is always the Sunday after January 6. This is the reason why in many Christian homes the Christmas tree is not pulled down till January 6.

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