Epiphany (holiday) men compete to retrieve it for good luck. The "Phota" form the middle of another festive triduum, together with Epiphany Eve, when children sing the Epiphany carols, and the great feast of St. John the Baptist (January 7 and eve), when the numerous Johns and Joans celebrate their name-day. It is a time for sanctification, which in Greece means expiation, purification of the people and protection against the influence of demons. This concept is certainly not strictly Christian, but has roots in ancient worship. In most parts of Greece a ritual called "small sanctification", "Protagiasi" or "Enlightment" is practiced on
Epiphany (holiday) any other good things left in the house from Christmas are devoured. Lastly, there is a German rhyme saying, or "Bauernregel", that goes "Ist's bis Dreikönigs kein Winter, kommt keiner dahinter" meaning "If there hasn't been any Winter (weather) until Epiphany, none is coming afterward." Another of these "Bauernregel", (German farmer's rules) for Epiphany states: "Dreikönigsabend hell und klar, verspricht ein gutes Weinjahr" or "If the eve of Epiphany is bright and clear, it foretells a good wine year." In Greece, Cyprus and the Greek diaspora throughout the world, the feast is called the Theophany, or colloquially "Phōta" (, "Lights").