When is Epiphany?
Epiphany, kept on 6 January each year, commemorates the "manifestation" of Jesus Christ to the world: the visit of the wise men in the Western tradition, and the baptism of Jesus in the Eastern. It is the fixed-date feast that closes the Christmas season.
Epiphany — Catholic · Protestant (Western): the next date is January 6, 2027.
Epiphany — Greek Orthodox: the next date is January 6, 2027.
Epiphany — Armenian Apostolic: the next date is January 6, 2027.
Epiphany — Syriac Orthodox: the next date is January 6, 2027.
6 January matters in every tradition but with different emphases: the visit of the Magi (Epiphany) in the West, the baptism of Jesus (Theophany) in the East; the Armenian Apostolic Church also celebrates Christmas on the same day.
Dates year by year — Western tradition
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | — Tuesday |
| 2027 | — Wednesday |
| 2028 | — Thursday |
| 2029 | — Saturday |
Catholic · Protestant (Western)
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | |
| 2027 | |
| 2028 |
Greek Orthodox
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | |
| 2027 | |
| 2028 |
Armenian Apostolic
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | |
| 2027 | |
| 2028 |
Syriac Orthodox
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | |
| 2027 | |
| 2028 |
Meaning and history
Epiphany takes its name from the Greek epiphaneia, "appearing, manifestation", and is kept on 6 January each year, closing the twelve-day season that follows Christmas. The focus of the feast is the identity of Jesus Christ becoming openly visible to the world, though this "manifestation" is remembered through different events in the two great traditions. In the Western tradition the central account is the visit of the wise men in Matthew's Gospel: sages from the east follow a star to the child Jesus, bow before him and present gold, frankincense and myrrh — read as a sign that Jesus is shown not to one people only but to all nations. In the Eastern tradition the same day, called Theophany, commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan: the opening of heaven, the Spirit descending like a dove and the voice that was heard are understood in Christian belief as the moment the Trinity appeared together, which is why many Eastern churches hold blessings of water on this day. In some countries Epiphany is a public holiday, and folk customs such as the king cake have grown around it. This fixed-date feast is the final link of the Christmas cycle in the church year.