The Feast of Epiphany is I Class, the highest liturgical category. The word “epiphany” means “manifestation,” and indicates that Christ showed himself to the Three Kings.
The feast has been celebrated in the Church since at least the III Century. The Kings came from the East, perhaps Persia, following a star. Stopping over in Jerusalem to visit King Herod, they inquired whether he had heard of the King of the Jews being born whereupon Herod called in the scribes and was told the Saviour would be born in Bethlehem, according to prophecy. Herod asked that the Wise Men return once they had found the Messiah so that he too could “adore” Him.
The Three Kings went on following the star, found Christ and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. An angel subsequently appeared to them in a dream, warning them not to return to Herod, and they went back to their land by another route.