3 things to know about the Feast of Epiphany

By Brandon Showalter, Opinion writer and social commentator Wednesday, January 06, 2021

How Epiphany is celebrated in the Eastern Church

Many Eastern Orthodox Christians do not celebrate the Feast of Epiphany until Jan. 19 and instead of marking the revealing of Jesus to the Magi, the manifestation of God that is recalled is Christ's baptism.

While the word "Trinity" is absent from Scripture, the appearance of the Three-in-One Godhead is arguably the most manifestly visible in this particular scene in Scripture other than the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor, which is described in all three synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It is also perhaps the clearest appearance of Jesus as the Son in light of the Voice from Heaven announcing Him as such and is the beginning of His earthly ministry.

The Feast of Epiphany is also called The Feast of Lights.

Some Orthodox Christians, particularly in Russia, mark the day by submerging themselves in freezing water as it is believed that the tradition brings good health to worshipers and cleanses them of their sin. Some participants dip themselves in the icy water three times in honor of the Trinity.