Epiphany Holiday - Trzech Króli

Agnieszka Pawlus — Mon Jan 05, 2015 6:32 am

Author: Agnieszka Pawlus

Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2015 6:32 am

Tomorrow we will celebrate Ephiphany holiday, popular "Trzech Króli" (The Three Kings Day).
The feast commemorates principally the visit of the Magi to the Christ child.

In churches in Poland it will be possible to obtain the blessed chalk. At home, we inscribe "K+M+B+" and the year above the entrance. According to tradition, to provide protection against illness and misfortune for those within. The letters, with a cross after each one, are said to stand for the traditionally applied names of the Three Kings in Polish - Kacper, Melchior and Baltazar. They remain above the doors all year until they are inadvertently dusted off or replaced by new markings the next year.

In bigger cities the huge parades will be held welcoming the Wise Men, often riding on camels or other animals from the zoo. The Wise Men pass out sweets, children process in renaissance wear, carols are sung, and living nativity scenes are enacted.

Picture: The Three Kings parade in Warsaw (source: onet.pl)

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Epiphany Holiday - Trzech Króli