the prophecy from Isaiah: “Arise, shine, for your light has come
Epiphany: The Festival of Lights
celebrated on January 6, marking the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the world as the divine Son of God
. The term "Epiphany" comes from the Greek word meaning "to show forth" or "to manifest
within the Eastern Orthodox Church, the feast is referred to as Theophany, emphasizing the appearance of the Holy Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—at the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River.
Epiphany was originally a unified celebration of Christ’s birth, baptism, and other early life events, but over time, especially in the Western Church, the focus shifted toward the visit of the Magi, which became the central theme on January 6. However, in the Eastern tradition, the baptism of Jesus remains the primary focus, with the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove and the voice of the Father declaring, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased”. This moment is considered the definitive revelation of the Trinity.
The liturgical season of Epiphany begins on January 6 and continues until the start of Lent,