Epiphany Celebrations Around the World

[riversedge]

kinda sad, trump fixed the War on Christmas. Nothing to look forward to next year!!



Epiphany Celebrations Around the World
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/06/world/epiphany-christmas.html?module=WatchingPortal&region=c-column-middle-span-region&pgType=Homepage&action=click&mediaId=wide&state=standard&contentPlacement=4&version=internal&contentCollection=www.nytimes.com&contentId=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2018%2F01%2F06%2Fworld%2Fepiphany-christmas.html&eventName=Watching-article-click


The New York Times
6-8 minutes






The Three Wise Men greeting children during a Twelfth Night procession in Pamplona, Spain, on Friday. Villar Lopez/European Pressphoto Agency

For Christians around the world, the official end to the Christmas holiday occurs on Jan. 6. Known as Epiphany, or the 12th Day of Christmas, it commemorates how a star led the Magi, or the three kings or wise men, to the baby Jesus.

Countries celebrate on the evening before and on the actual day with parades of decorative floats and people in costume as the kings bearing gifts. The festivities often feature light and music shows, and clowns and jugglers who throw candy to the crowds.
Orthodox Christians in Kalofer, Bulgaria, dove into freezing water on Saturday to retrieve a wooden crucifix, a tradition dating from Byzantine times. Dimitar Dilkoff/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

In Spain, parents and their children packed city sidewalks on Saturday to watch colorful parades. The celebrations commemorate the journey that three wise men are said to have taken to present the baby Jesus with gifts.

In recent years, security has been tightened in Madrid and Barcelona amid fears of potential terrorist attacks, and large vehicles have been banned from streets near the parade routes............................






Orthodox Christians in Kalofer, Bulgaria, dove into freezing water on Saturday to retrieve a wooden crucifix, a tradition dating from Byzantine times. Dimitar Dilkoff/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

[Igel]

1. Somehow what's quoted makes it sound like the Orthodox are observing Epiphany.

Limited access to the NYT, but it's worth pointing out that for the Orthodox, today's not Epiphany and can't be Epiphany.

Because tomorrow's Xmas.

I'm not Orthodox, but in celebration of diversity, Merry Christmas!

[OnDoutside]

2. Here in Ireland, it's called Women's Little Christmas or as the wags call it

Little Women's Christmas.

[fierywoman]

3. In Venice, Italy, it's the day the most delish doughnuts come out, they're called

"fritelle", and they're only around until the first day of Lent, when they disappear for another year. My fave: with zabaglione inside!