In most dioceses of the US, I believe, Epiphany is celebrated today and not, as tradition would have it, on January 6th, the twelfth day of Christmas. It is the more important feast in the eastern and oriental Churches. When I was growing up, the pastor of our Slovak national parish in Haverstraw, NY,would visit and blessthe homes of parishioners. Before he left he would write three letters on the lintel of the front door: GMB, standing for the names of the three kings: Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar.Other traditions?

Rev. Joseph A. Komonchak, professor emeritus of the School of Theology and Religious Studies at the Catholic University of America, is a retired priest of the Archdiocese of New York.

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