Joyous Feast of the Epiphany!

Today we celebrate Epiphany (Theophany) of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! This observance commemorates Christ's baptism by St. John the Forerunner in the River Jordan, and the beginning of Christ's earthly ministry. The Feast of Theophany is the culmination of the Christmas Season, which starts on December 25 and ends on January 6 (aka the 12 Days of Christmas). In mystic commemoration of this event, the Great Blessing of Water is performed on this day, and holy water so blessed is used by the local priest to bless the homes of the faithful.

The feast is called Theophany because at the baptism of Christ the Holy Trinity appeared clearly to mankind for the first time, the Father's voice is heard from Heaven, the Son of God is incarnate and standing physically in the Jordan, and the Holy Spirit descends on Him in the form of a dove. 

Here is a good visual explanation of the Epiphany icon for kids:

As mentioned, it is traditional to attend Divine Liturgy where the blessing of the water takes place, and the water is changed to HOLY WATER.

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In Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, and Russia, a priest typically casts a cross into the water. If swimming is feasible on the spot, any number of volunteers may try to recover the cross. The person who gets the cross first swims back and returns it to the priest, who then delivers a special blessing to the swimmer and their household (it is said that good health will be bestowed upon the home of the swimmer who is the first to reach the cross).

 

In Russia, another tradition is for Orthodox faithful to reinact Christ's baptism by walking into ice cold water!

Teach your kids the Troparion (Tone 1) of Epiphany - in several languages!
When Thou, O Lord, wast baptized in the Jordan, the worship of the Trinity was made manifest. 

For the voice of the Father bore witness to Thee, calling Thee His beloved Son! 

And the Spirit, in the form of a dove, confirmed the truthfulness of His word. O Christ our God, 

Who hast revealed Thyself and hast enlightened the world, glory to Thee!
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Some of the traditions on Epiphany include the annual blessing of your home 

 

Children can help assist by cleaning the house up before the priest arrives, getting an icon (preferably the patron saint of the household!), a candle, a bowl full of water, and a censor (if you have one). 

One craft that I found can be made easily with young kids! St. John Baptizes Jesus:  (Matthew 3, Mark 1, Luke 3, John 1 - Jesus' baptism using upside down blue paper cup and Popsicle stick)

 

In Macedonia, special food jelly form pork and beef meat and bones called "pacha" (пача) or "pivtii" (пивтии) is prepared the day before, but served on the day after Epiphany, together with warm local brandy, rakija.

In Romania and Moldova, Epiphany, is called Boboteaza. In Southeastern Romania, following Liturgys, men participate in winter horse races. Before the race, the men line up with their horses before the priest who will bless them by sprinkling them with green branches that have been dipped into the holy water. Sometimes people desire to have this blessing for themselves as well. Winning the Epiphany race is a great honor for both horse and rider, while the post-race celebrations, win or not, are highly festive.   

In Slovenia, especially in the Western part of the country, children go from house to house because villagers will give them almonds, dried figs, nuts, cookies or other good things that they have at home.