Epiphany in Estonia

Epiphany, known as kolmekuningapäev in Estonian, is celebrated on January 6th and marks the end of the Christmas season. It is a day that commemorates the visit of the Magi – or the Three Wise Men – to the baby Jesus, symbolizing Christ's physical manifestation to the Gentiles.

History and Traditions

Traditionally, Epiphany has been a Christian feast day and is recognized as a public holiday in Estonia. It has roots in ancient Christian traditions and is observed by various denominations, including the Lutheran Church, which has had a significant influence on Estonian religious practices.

In Estonia, like in many other countries with Christian heritage, Epiphany has been celebrated for centuries. However, under Soviet rule when Estonia was part of the USSR, religious celebrations were suppressed. With regained independence and freedom of religion, observance of such days has experienced a revival.

Contemporary Observances

On this day:

• Some Estonians attend church services where the story of the Wise Men is recounted.
• Homes may be blessed with holy water by priests who conduct house visits.
• People may take down their Christmas decorations following an old belief that leaving decorations up beyond Epiphany can bring bad luck.
• In some regions, it's common to write the initials of the Three Kings (C+M+B or K+M+P in Estonian) above doorways with blessed chalk to invite good fortune for the year ahead.

As modern times have brought about less emphasis on religious practices for some people, not all Estonians celebrate Epiphany as a religious event; for many it is simply recognized as part of cultural tradition or as a continuation of New Year's celebrations.