In Vlkolínec, the Feast of the Epiphany was traditionally marked by singing.
The day commemorates three wise men from the East – Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar – who came to Bethlehem to pay homage to the newborn Jesus, bringing with them gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
The festive day began with a morning Mass. Afterwards, the priest made his way through the village to bless each home, accompanied by the sacristan and three altar servers. The servers carried a vessel of holy water and a censer, while one rang a handbell to announce their arrival at each house. Inside, the household waited in their best clothes. As he entered, the priest would say, “Peace to this house”. He then prayed and asked for God’s blessing on the home and all who lived there. Meanwhile, the sacristan chalked the current year and the letters G+M+B – the initials of the three wise men – above the door. Finally, the priest blessed the household with incense and sprinkled them with holy water before moving on to the next home. He continued in this way until all the houses had been visited.
This feast day marked the official close of the Christmas season in Vlkolínec.
