Epyphany in Germany

Epyphany in Germany Where is "Epiphany" a holiday in 2021? Info on names, tradition, history, carol singers "Epiphany" 2021 is a public holiday in only three federal states. The carol singers also come in the weeks before and on 6 January. Many Christians celebrate " Epiphany" 2021 on 6 January, some federal states even give it a day off. But what do we celebrate on "Three Kings Day" anyway? You can find all the information about names, customs and meanings here. Also: Where is the day a public holiday? Date: When does "Epiphany" take place in 2021? The "Epiphany" holiday takes place on a different day of the week every year. However, the date always remains the same: 6 January. In 2021, the date falls on a Wednesday. 6 January: Where is "Epiphany" a public holiday in Germany? Only in three federal states is "Epiphany" a public holiday on 6 January: people in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Saxony-Anhalt have the day off. Names: What are the names of the three kings? The names of the Three Kings are Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. The name Caspar comes from Persian and means "treasurer", Melchior translated from Hebrew means "God is light" and Balthasar has a Babylonian origin with the meaning "God save the king". History and tradition of "Epiphany" on 6 January 2021 The reason for the celebrations is a well-known story from the Bible. According to the story, the Magi - also called wise men from the East or "stargazers" - follow the star of Bethlehem, which leads them to a simple stable where the baby Jesus was born. However, it is unclear whether these are really three kings. The New Testament of the Bible does not give any information on this. The legend of the three came into being later. The names Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar first appear in legends from the 6th century. In the Catholic Church, Epiphany Day is called "Epiphany", which means "Appearance of the Lord". Three ecclesiastical blessings are central: the consecration of water as a reminder of Jesus' baptism, the blessing of incense to commemorate the offerings of the three wise men and the consecration and fumigation of houses. The three wise men are also called kings because they were probably princes in the Orient or came from a royal lineage. Today it is believed that they were three highly learned magi who followed a rare star and landed in Bethlehem. They carried with them "royal gifts", namely gold, frankincense and myrrh, and thus became "kings". Which of the Magi brings what? According to the Bible, these are the gifts of the Magi: Caspar: myrrh Melchior: gold Balthasar: incense Carolers: What does the abbreviation C+M+B mean? In southern Germany it was once the custom to burn incense in the house and stable on the eve of Epiphany - the last of the mysterious "Raunächte". The water consecrated on Epiphany was and still is used in many families to sprinkle the rooms; the three letters C+M+B and the year are written on the doors of the house and courtyard with the consecrated chalk. According to church interpretation, the initial letters C+M+B do not refer to the three kings Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar. They rather express the Latin blessing: Christus Mansionem Benedicat = Christ bless this house. In our time, the carol singers have evolved from the "Three Kings". Children and young people dress up in oriental costumes and go from house to house as the Three Kings. They sing, pray and ask for blessings for the house and its inhabitants. The three kings are accompanied by a star bearer. The carol singers collect money for charitable purposes in a nationwide campaign.