Epiphany (holiday) the beginning of "zapusty" or carnival time, when "pączki" (doughnuts) and "chrust" (Angel wings) are served. In Portugal, Epiphany, January 6, is called "dia dos Reis" (Day of the Kings), during which the traditional "Bolo Rei" (King cake) is baked and eaten. Plays and pageants are popular on this day, and parents often hold parties for their children. Epiphany is also a time when the traditional Portuguese dances known as "Mouriscadas" and "Paulitos" are performed. The latter is an elaborate stick dance. The dancers, who are usually men but may be dressed as women, manipulate sticks or staves (in imitation
Epiphany (holiday) during which the cross is immersed in the water, symbolizing Jesus' descent into the Jordan, and holy "myron" (chrism) is poured in, symbolic of the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus. The next morning, after the Liturgy, the cross is removed from the vessel of holy water and all come forward to kiss the cross and partake of the blessed water. Epiphany is celebrated with a wide array of customs around the world. In some cultures, the greenery and nativity scenes put up at Christmas are taken down at Epiphany. In other cultures these remain up until Candlemas on