The celebration of Epiphany emerged around AD 361 initially as a commemoration of the birth of Christ and, later on, in order to recall the three miracles that manifested the divinity of Christ: the Lord’s Baptism, the visit of the Magi, and the miraculous transformation of water into wine at Cana. It is a long-held Catholic tradition to bless your home on (or near) the celebration of the Epiphany by using blessed chalk to write a special inscription above the home’s entrance. The inscription written over the door changes every year. For this year, you should write: 20 + C + M + B + 24. Those three capital letters are the initials of the traditional names of the three Magi: Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. They are also the first letters of the Latin words Christus mansionem benedicat or, in English, May Christ bless the house. The intervening plus signs (+) represent the Cross, and separated numbers 2024 refer to the current year.
The blessing has biblical roots, deeply tied to the Passover in the book of Exodus, “The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt…take some of its blood (of the lamb) and apply it to the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. They will consume its meat that same night, eating it roasted with unleavened bread and bitter herbs…for you the blood will mark the houses where you are. Seeing the blood, I will pass over you; thereby, when I strike the land of Egypt, no destructive blow will come upon you” (Ex 12:1,7-8,13 ).
Instructions for Blessing the Home
- Read: Matthew 2:1-16
- Gather either at the front door of your home or at the front porch step or wall within your house.
- Using the [blessed] chalk, mark the lintel of your front door (or step or wall) as follows: 20 + C + M + B + 24
- Instruction read by the Leader:
The three Wise Men, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar followed the star of God’s Son who became man two thousand and twenty-four years ago. May Christ bless this home and remain with its inhabitants throughout the New Year. Amen.
- All recite the following prayer:
Visit, O blessed Lord, this home with the gladness of your presence. Bless all who live or visit here with the gift of your love; and grant that we may manifest your love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen.
Orthodox Customs Related to Epiphany
Initially Epiphany was observed as a commemoration of the birth of Christ. Later on, the meaning of this annual feast was enhanced and was understood as recalling the three miracles that manifested the divinity of Christ. In Catholic practice, this triple-meaning is preserved in the antiphon intended for the Canticle of Zechariah in Morning Prayer, “Today, the Bridegroom claims his bride, the Church, since Christ has washed her sins away in Jordan’s waters; the Magi hasten with their gifts to the royal wedding; and the wedding guests rejoice, for Christ has changed water into wine.”
Especially in Greece, those who are Orthodox believe that on this day, miraculously, the nature of water changes and becomes pure as the evil is drawn out of it. Sprinkling what is known as theophany water also cleanses the world of the mischief-prone Kalikantzaroi or the goblins who have been trying to torment God-fearing Orthodox Christians throughout the holy season. Groups of children (Gk. agyrmoi), wandering house to house, sing hymns and ring bells, creating a frightful din, to scare away those troublesome gremlins. Often, on the Eve of Epiphany, old holy water is poured out to be replenished with new holy water.
Tarpon Springs Florida
Nowhere in America is the feast of Epiphany celebrated as it is in Tarpon Springs, Florida where the ceremonies are identical to those taken place in and around Greece. The Greek Metropolitan blesses the water and reads from Saint Mark’s Gospel (Mk 1:9ff). Afterwards, a white dove is released, symbolizing the Holy Spirit who appeared when John baptized Jesus. Then the Metropolitan throws a golden cross into the water and the divers frenetically swim, wrestle and churn the waters searching for the Cross. In throwing the Cross into the water, that action invokes casting the bread of truth upon a troubled world. The diver who retrieves the Cross joins the Metropolitan on the barge in the middle of the Spring Bayou and, kneeling before the hierarch, he hands His Eminence the Cross and receives the Metropolitan’s blessing and heartfelt congratulations.
Nature and dignity 