The Epiphany of the Lord
Solemnity
- Feast Day
- January 4
The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord celebrates the manifestation of Christ to the nations. In the General Roman Calendar the universal date is January 6, the twelfth day of Christmas. By indult, in the United States and other territories, the solemnity is transferred to the Sunday occurring between January 2 and January 8; in 2026 that Sunday falls on January 4.
The word Epiphaneia means "manifestation." The Roman liturgy gathers under this title three biblical mysteries: the visit of the Magi, who came from the East to adore the newborn King (Matthew 2:1-12); the Baptism of the Lord in the Jordan (now celebrated on the following Sunday); and the wedding feast at Cana, the first of Jesus's signs (John 2:1-11). The antiphon for Second Vespers expresses this triple commemoration: "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 guests are gladdened with water made wine."
The feast originated in the Christian East, where in the third century it celebrated the Lord's nativity and baptism together on January 6. After the Roman observance of the Nativity on December 25 spread eastward, the East kept Epiphany as the feast of the Baptism, while Rome accentuated the Magi.
In the Roman Missal Epiphany is a Solemnity, and where it is observed on January 6 it ranks as a Holyday of Obligation in many countries. The Proclamation of the Date of Easter is sung at Mass on this day, marking out the year's principal feasts from the Epiphany itself to the First Sunday of Advent.
The visit of the Magi is read in the Roman Liturgy as the calling of the Gentiles. Saint Leo the Great's sermons on Epiphany, still used in the Office of Readings, present the star of Bethlehem as the first sign that salvation is offered to all peoples. The transfer of the solemnity to Sunday in many territories preserves popular access to a feast that, with Christmas, frames the Christmas Time and prepares the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord.
Catholic Churches Named After The Epiphany of the Lord
9 parishes on Catholic Church Times share The Epiphany of the Lord's name. Find their Mass times, confession schedules, and adoration hours:
- St. Mary Of The Epiphany — Timpson, TX
- Church of the Epiphany — San Francisco, CA
- Church of the Epiphany — Louisville, KY
- The Church of the Epiphany — Coon Rapids, MN
- Cathedral of the Epiphany — Sioux City, IA
- Church of the Epiphany — Blowing Rock, NC
- Church of the Epiphany — Richmond, VA
- Church of the Epiphany — Epiphany, SD
- St. Agatha - The Epiphany of the Lord Parish — Meadville, PA
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