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Dia de reyes in english8/28/2023 ![]() ![]() Some parts of Germany also have the tradition of marking over doors. The sign is meant to protect the house for the coming year. ![]() It's made from the year split in two with initials of the names that are sometimes given to 'the three wise men', Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar, in the middle. It's a reminder of the Wise Men that visited the baby Jesus. In Austria, at Epiphany, some people write a special sign in chalk over their front door. Children put stockings up by the fireplace for Befana to fill. But they believe that an old lady called 'Befana' brings them. ![]() In Italy, some children also get their presents on Epiphany. On the Island of Maderia they're known as the 'Cantar os Reis' (singing the kings). In Portugal, people take part in Epiphany carol singing known as the 'Janeiras' (January songs). Whoever has the baby Jesus in their piece of cake is the 'Godparent' of Jesus for that year. A figure of Baby Jesus is hidden inside the cake. It's traditional to eat a special cake called 'Rosca de Reyes' (Three Kings Cake). There are similar traditions in Mexico where Epiphany is known as 'El Dia de los Reyes' (the day of The Three Kings). It has a toy crown cooked inside it and is decorated on top with a gold paper crown. In France you might eat a 'Galette des Rois', a type of flat almond cake. In Catalonia it's known as a Tortell or Gâteau des Rois and is stuffed with marzipan. ![]() There is normally a figure of a king (if you find that you can wear the crown) and a dried bean (if you find that you're meant to pay for the cake!). They are normally filled with cream or chocolate and are decorated with a paper crown. In Spain on Epiphany morning you might go to the local bakers and buy a special cake/pastry called a 'Roscón' (meaning a ring shaped roll). In Spain, Epiphany is an important festival, where it's also known as 'The festival of the three Magic Kings' - 'Fiesta de Los tres Reyes Mages', and is when Spanish and some other Catholic children receive their presents - as they are delivered by the Three Kings! It can sometimes take days or even weeks for the priest to visit all the houses and bless them. After the service, the water is also used by a priest to bless the houses of people in the church. People are often baptised on the Feast of the Holy Theophany. The blessed water is used in church services during the rest of the year. During the services to celebrate Epiphany, on the eve of the feast and on the feast day, water is blessed (some churches only bless water at one service). In Orthodox churches, Epiphany is also known as 'The Feast of the Holy Theophany' and it is as important as Christmas. Some Churches celebrate use Epiphany to celebrate and remember both the visit of the Wise Men and Jesus's Baptism! Epiphany is mainly celebrated by Catholics and Orthodox Christians. Epiphany means 'revelation' and both the visit of the Wise Men and his Baptism are important times when Jesus was 'revealed' to be very important. The number three comes from the three gifts the Wise Men / Magi brought with them.Įpiphany is also when some Churches remember when Jesus was Baptised, when he was about 30, and started to teach people about God. The Bible doesn't say how many Wise Men there were or that they were kings. Epiphany, the Feast of The Wise Men The Adoration of the Magi by Giotto, via Wikimedia CommonsĮpiphany is celebrated 12 days after Christmas on 6th January (or January 19th for some Orthodox Church who have Christmas on 7th January) and is the time when Christians remember the Wise Men (also sometimes called the Three Kings) who visited Jesus. ![]()
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