Anti-racists slam blackface use in Spain’s Epiphany parades
Alcoy/Barcelona/Madrid, SpainReuters Anti-racism activists in Spain have called for a ban on the use of blackface seen in many of the country’s traditional Epiphany celebrations. Rita Bosaho, the first Black woman in Spain’s parliament, said the practice – part of annual 5th January parades on the eve of Epiphany that depict the Biblical three kings who […]
Bulgarians celebrate the feast of Epiphany with traditional rituals…while Florida’s Greek community celebrates with annual dive
Sofia, Bulgaria AP Thousands of Orthodox Christian worshippers dived into the wintry waters of rivers and lakes across Bulgaria on Saturday to retrieve crucifixes cast by priests in Epiphany ceremonies commemorating the baptism of Jesus Christ. The legend goes that the person who retrieves the wooden cross will be freed from evil spirits and will be healthy […]
Pope Francis warns against ideological splits in the church, says focus on the poor, not “theory”
Vatican CityAP Amid resistance to some Vatican policy by more conservative factions of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis on Saturday cautioned the faithful against fracturing into groups “based on our own ideas.” He issued the call to abandon “ecclesiastical ideologies” in his homily in St Peter’s Basilica during Epiphany Day Mass, the last major Christmas […]
The Explainer: What is the Epiphany? Why is it also called Three Kings Day? And when do Christians celebrate it?
The Associated Press takes a look at what the Christian celebration of Epiphany is all about…
Sight-Seeing: The disturbing news of Christmas
As we approach the Western church celebration of Epiphany on 6th January, PAUL CLARK looks at the role Herod played in the story of the birth of Christ…
Bulgarians, Greeks celebrate Epiphany with traditional rituals
Sofia, Bulgaria/Athens, Greece AP Thousands of young men are plunging into rivers and lakes across Bulgaria to retrieve crucifixes, in an old ritual marking the feast of Epiphany. By tradition, a crucifix is cast into the waters of a lake or river, and it is believed that the person who retrieves it will be freed […]
Sight-Seeing: Let’s celebrate the Epiphany with an eye on the future
In the West, the Epiphany is about the Magi, says US Catholic columnist THOMAS REESE in an article first published on Religion News Service . In the East, it is about the baptism of the Lord. But it is also about the second coming of Christ…
Christian world marks Epiphany with series of celebrations
Vatican CityAP Christians around the world on Thursday marked Epiphany, known as Three Kings Day for Catholics and the Baptism of Christ for the Orthodox, with a series of celebrations. Pope Francis used a Mass at St Peter’s Basilica to decry consumerism, parades were held in Spain the night before, and Orthodox believers watched swimmers […]
Pictures – Epiphany celebrations marked by pandemic
Kalofer, BulgariaAP Christians on Wednesday marked Epiphany in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, which constrained celebrations in many places but didn’t stop some defying warnings to keep to traditions. Orthodox Christians celebrate Jesus’ baptism during Epiphany. In Bulgaria, thousands of worshippers ignored health authorities’ warnings to refrain from mass gatherings, braving icy waters to retrieve crucifixes […]
StrangeSights: Wise men head to the skies; San Francisco’s ‘Gingerlith’, and, a sword returned after 40 years…
DAVID ADAMS reports on the odder side of life…