Geneza i obchody uroczystości Objawienia Pańskiego. Zarys problematyki,
Origins and celebration of the Epiphany in Poland. Outline of the problem

Summary/Abstract: The Epiphany in the Roman Catholic Church is celebrated on 6 January, and in the liturgy refers to the Gospel of St. Matthew (Mt 2,1 – 12) where the adoration of the Magi is described and presents a symbolical bow of persons from all nations before the Incarnated God. In the Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession the Three Kings’ Day is celebrated on 6 January under the name of Epiphany. The same term – Epiphany – is used in the Orthodox Church but the celebration falls on 6 to 19 January, depending on the Julian calendar. The celebration of the Three Kings’ Day in Poland is accompanied by many traditions and customs which define the piety of people in these lands – blessing the chalk used to write the Magi’s initials on the entrance doors (K+M+B) or the Hole Family’s (J+M+J) and current year; carol singers visiting people; performances and role playing (the so-called dialogues); occasional bread and cake baking; colorful processions along city streets. These customsdemonstrate how the sacred and the profane intersperse on this day. We can say that piety adapted one of the biblical events for its purposes through cheerful celebrations and fun.

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