Epiphany (Vodokhreshche) Wishes

Vodokhreshche, the Feast of the Epiphany (Theophany), closes the cycle of winter holidays in Ukraine. Since 2023, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church have celebrated it on January 6, with the second Holy Eve, Hungry Kutia, on January 5. Water is blessed on this day, and people greet each other with "Christ is baptized! — In the River Jordan!". Here you will find Epiphany wishes: short, traditional, for family and colleagues, plus poems.

For the earlier holidays of the cycle, see Christmas wishes and New Year wishes.

Short Epiphany wishes

• Happy Epiphany! May the holy water cleanse your soul and bring you health.
• Happy Feast of the Theophany! Peace, light and God's grace to you.
• Happy Epiphany! May your home be pure, bright and cozy.
• Happy Epiphany! May the Lord protect your family.
• Christ is baptized! Health, strength and faith in the new year.
• Happy Epiphany! May all troubles stay behind you.
• Happy holiday! May the holy water bring you peace and protection.
• Happy Theophany! May there be light in your heart and harmony at home.
• Happy Epiphany! May every day of the new year be blessed.
• Happy holiday! Pure thoughts and bright deeds to you.

Traditional and religious greetings

The traditional Epiphany greeting in Ukraine is "Khrystos okhrestyvsia!" (Christ is baptized!), and the reply is "U richtsi Yordani!" (In the River Jordan!).

• Christ is baptized! May the holy water of the Jordan wash your souls and bring grace to your home.
• Happy Feast of the Theophany of the Lord! May the light of this holiday brighten your path and strengthen your faith.
• Happy Epiphany! May the Lord bless your family with peace, health and love.
• Happy Holy Theophany! May blessed water heal and prayer give strength.

Wishes for family and friends

• Mom, Dad, happy Epiphany! Thank you for your prayers. May the holy water bring you health.
• Friends, happy Epiphany! May the new year be a clean page on which you write only happy stories.
• Happy Epiphany, my dear ones! May your home always be warm and your heart at peace.
• Happy holiday! May Epiphany wash away all worries and give you new strength.

Wishes for colleagues

• Dear colleagues! Happy Epiphany. May the new year be successful and your work a joy.
• Happy Theophany! We wish everyone good health, peace and success in our shared work.
• Colleagues, happy holiday! May this Epiphany mark the start of a bright and productive year.

Epiphany poems

On this bright and holy day,
May blessed water wash away
All your sorrows, fears and pain
And bring you joy and peace again.

As the waters are made new,
May your heart be blessed too.
Happy Epiphany to you —
May your hopes and dreams come true.

Flowers for Epiphany

On Epiphany, people often visit friends and family with symbolic gifts. White flowers, a symbol of purity and renewal, are appropriate: roses, baby's breath, chrysanthemums. Read more about winter holidays in Christmas in Ukraine, and find St. Nicholas Day texts in St. Nicholas Day wishes.

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More options are in the white flowers, flowers in a box and gift baskets sections.

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FAQ

When is Epiphany (Vodokhreshche) celebrated in Ukraine?

On January 6. After the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church switched to the Revised Julian calendar in 2023, the feast moved from January 19. Hungry Kutia is on January 5.

What is the traditional Epiphany greeting?

"Christ is baptized!" — "In the River Jordan!".

What is a short Epiphany wish?

"Happy Epiphany! May the holy water cleanse your soul and bring you health."

The next major feast after Epiphany is the Feast of the Meeting of the Lord.

Before Epiphany comes St Basil’s Day: Vasyl name day wishes.

On the eve of Christmas: Holy Eve wishes (24 December).

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Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.