epiphany
The earliest reference to Epiphany as a Christian feast was in A.D. 361, by Ammianus Marcellinus St. Epiphanius says that January 6 is hemera genethlion toutestin epiphanion (Christ’s “Birthday; that is, His Epiphany”). [1]
Every year the Epiphany celebration in Tarpon Springs attracts thousands of spectators from around the world, giving Tarpon Springs its nickname of the “Epiphany City.” [2]
Joyce also used epiphany as a literary device within each short story of his collection Dubliners (1914) as his protagonists came to sudden recognitions that changed their view of themselves or their social condition and often sparking a reversal or change of heart. [3]
For people who celebrate Christmas in a non-secular way, the Feast of the Epiphany, which Roman Catholics celebrated on January 2nd this year, can function as a slightly more spiritually authentic Christmas. [4]
On this feast, Western Christians commemorate principally the visitation of the Biblical Magi to the Baby Jesus, i.e., his manifestation to the Gentiles; Eastern Christians commemorate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, seen as his manifestation to the world as the Son of God. [1]
Technically it is more important than Christmas, ranking after Easter and Pentecost. [5]
Epiphany observances begin with a church service at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, followed by a procession to the spring, blessing of the waters, and cross retrieval. [2]
For the philosopher Emmanuel L?vinas, epiphany or a manifestation of the divine is seen in another’s face (see face-to-face). [3]
It’s the largest Greek Orthodox celebration in the Western Hemisphere, and is put on by the Greek Orthodox Church to commemorate the baptism of Jesus by Saint John the Baptist in the River Jordan. [2]
I like how he went to church on the Roman Catholic Feast of the Epiphany. [4]
The observance had its origins in the Eastern Christian Churches, and was a general celebration of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. [1]
Famous epiphanies include Archimedes ‘ realization of how to estimate the volume of a given mass, which inspired him to shout “Eureka !” [3]
I didn’t love the way the race for governor in my state (New York) went this past November. [4]
Even before the year 354, the Western Church had separated the celebration of the Nativity of Christ as the feast of Christmas and set its date as December 25; it reserved January 6 as a commemoration of the manifestation of Christ, especially to the Magi, but also at his baptism and at the wedding feast of Cana. [1]
Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. [3]
Sources:
[1] Epiphany (holiday) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[2] Tarpon Springs Epiphany festivities attract thousands
[3] Epiphany (feeling) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[4] Michele Somerville: Andrew Cuomo’s Gift for the Feast of the …
[5] epiphany: Definition from Answers.com