Dreikönigsfest. The Feast Of The Three Kings. Epiphany Water. Epiphany Chalk.

English: The Magi Journeying.

Français: Les rois mages en voyage.

Artist: James Tissot (1836–1902).

Date: Between 1886 and 1894.

Current location: Brooklyn Museum, United States.

Credit line: Purchased by public subscription.

Source/Photographer: Online Collection of Brooklyn Museum;

Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2006, 00.159.30_PS1.jpg.

(Wikimedia Commons)


DREIKÖNIGSFEST.

The following Text is taken from ROMAN CHRISTENDOM

By long tradition, on The Feast of The Epiphany — called Dreikönigsfest (The Feast of The Three Kings) in the lands of the old Holy Roman Empire — the Rector of the Parish (or, in his absence, the father of each family) visits each house with a Cross-Bearer, two Acolytes and three children, dressed as The Kings, one bearing a Censer with lighted Incense.

At each house, a little Ceremony takes place; the house is Blessed with Epiphany Water, and, over the door lintel of the house, the following is inscribed with Blessed Chalk:

20 + C + M + B + 15

In my house, we always perform this traditional ceremony.

This symbolises the present year (2015) and The Blessing of The Three Magi (Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar) upon each home.

The symbols remain all year, or until the weather has washed them away.