Happy Theophany!

[phildee3]

The Orthodox version of Christ's incarnation places this event not in a manger at Bethleham but at the River Jordan through the baptism of John (later to be completed by the anointing at Bethany).

Celebrated today, January 6th.
(day begins at sundown, previous day).

[serpentoffire]

In Italy we have an holiday called "Befana" or "Epifania".

http://decidiamoinsieme.it/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/befana2.png


http://digilander.libero.it/78mangu/RomaSole/natavona3.jpg

[phildee3]

In Italy we have an holiday called "Befana" or "Epifania".




"Epiphany" originally meant the same as "Theophany" -
ie. the "showing forth" of the christos.

Sadly, the Romans changed the original meaning of "Epiphany" to "the Visit of the Magi" and shifted the date of the Feast of the Baptism to Jan. 13th.

Many RCs, as well as their offshoots, don't even bother to celebrate it on the 13th.

[phildee3]

Befana/Epifania would appear, then, to be a folk memory of the original Christmas (ie. the incarnation of the christos at the baptism).

[octopusrex]

Today?

[phildee3]

Today?

If you're writing before sundown on Jan.6th., yes.

But you still have eight days to celebrate it if you want to.
All feast days have an "octave";
so, in effect, every one is an eight day feast!

And you thought Christainity was all about death, self-sacrifice, self-flagellation and morbidity?

No way!!