Orthodox Christian · January 6 for most churches, January 19 for Old Calendar churches
Theophany
The feast of the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan, when the Orthodox Church blesses the waters and its people carry the blessing home.
Say it like a neighbor
Kala Theofania
Say: kah-LAH thay-oh-FAH-nee-ah · “Good Theophany”
Or say: Blessed Theophany
Kala Theofania is the Greek greeting for the feast, and you do not need to know it. “Blessed Theophany” or “Happy Theophany” is warmly received. Theophany is one of the great feasts of the Orthodox year and a joyful one, though the eve before it is a day of strict fasting.
Jan 5
Tap to follow the blessing of the waters, from the eve of Theophany to the home blessings.
When is Theophany? Key dates and days to know
Main day
Main day
Orthodox Christians celebrate Theophany on January 6, but churches use two calendars. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and other churches on the Revised Julian calendar keep January 6. Churches that follow the older Julian calendar, including many Russian, Serbian and Georgian parishes and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, keep it on January 19 in the civil calendar. Feasts begin at sunset the evening before.
What is Theophany and what does it mean?
Theophany means “manifestation of God.” The feast remembers the baptism of Jesus by John in the River Jordan, when, in the Gospel accounts, the voice of the Father was heard, the Son was baptized and the Spirit descended like a dove. For Orthodox Christians this is a revelation of the Holy Trinity, and it is one of the twelve Great Feasts of the church year.
Water is at the center of the day. The church blesses it in a service called the Great Blessing of Waters, and the blessed water, known as Agiasma or holy water, is believed to bring a blessing to the people and places it touches. Many families keep a bottle at home for the whole year.
In many Western churches the same date is called Epiphany and is tied to the visit of the Magi. In the Orthodox Church the Magi belong to Christmas, and January 6 is the day of the baptism of Christ.
How is Theophany celebrated? Customs and traditions
The eve
The eve of Theophany, sometimes called Paramony, is a strict fast day. Many churches hold the first Great Blessing of Waters that day or evening.
Blessing the waters
On the feast the priest blesses a bowl or font of water, and in some places he leads a procession to a river, lake or sea. He dips a cross into the water three times.
Taking the water home
The faithful drink a little of the blessed water and take some home in bottles. Many families sprinkle their homes and keep the water all year.
Basil and house blessings
In Greek tradition the priest sprinkles each room with a sprig of basil dipped in Theophany water. The visits continue in the days after the feast.
The cross dive
In some Greek communities a cross is thrown into the water and swimmers dive to retrieve it. The best-known cross dive in the United States is held each year in Tarpon Springs, Florida.
Leave-taking
The feast is observed for eight days, ending with the Leave-taking, or Apodosis, on January 14 for churches that keep January 6.
Being a good neighbor on Theophany
Tap each one as you go.
Theophany in Houston: how neighbors can take part
A water blessing, one calendar split, two dates
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, at 3511 Yoakum Boulevard in Montrose, was organized in 1917 as the first Greek Orthodox church in Houston, and it is the home of the city’s largest Orthodox parish. It belongs to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, so it keeps Theophany on January 6.
Houston has other Orthodox parishes as well, and some of them follow the older calendar and keep Theophany on January 19.
We did not find a posted 2027 Theophany schedule when we checked, so please contact your local parish to confirm service times and any blessing at the water.
Theophany events in Houston
Each Houston parish sets its own schedule. Please contact the church before you go. Visitors are generally welcome.
Questions neighbors ask about Theophany
When is Theophany 2027?
Theophany is January 6, 2027 for most Orthodox churches, and January 19 for churches that follow the Old Calendar.
What is Theophany?
It is the Orthodox feast of the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, when Christians believe the Trinity was revealed. Many parishes bless water, and families bring holy water home.
What do you say on Theophany?
A Greek greeting is “Kala Theofania,” which means “happy Theophany.” “Blessed Theophany” works in English.
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