Friday was the holiday of Epiphany. For Catholics, the day celebrates the coming of the magi -- or the three wise men -- who visited the baby Jesus in Bethlehem after his birth.

For the Orthodox churches the day commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the river Jordan. In proper celebration of that moment, Orthodox men in Greece and Turkey plunge into frigid rivers and seas in what is known as The Blessing of the Waters.

In some traditions, such as those in Bulgaria, a priest casts a crucifix into the water and worshipers race to retrieve the cross, which will keep them safe from evil spirits.

In some countries the celebration also features parades and reenactments of the journey of the wise men, and in Rome on Friday Pope Benedict XVI lead a mass.

Epiphany Day
A woman dressed up as one of the Wise Men throws sweets during the traditional Epiphany parade in Malaga Reuters
Epiphany Day
Bulgarian men dance in the icy waters of the Tundzha river during a celebration for Epiphany Day in the town of Kalofer Reuters
Epiphany Day
Bulgarian men dance in the icy waters of the Tundzha river during a celebration for Epiphany Day in the town of Kalofer Reuters
Epiphany Day
Two newly ordained bishops, Brown and Solczynski, lie prostrate in front of Pope Benedict XVI during a mass in St. Peter's Basilica at Vatican City Reuters
Epiphany Day
Men dressed as "La Befana", an imaginary old woman who is thought to bring gifts to children during the festival of Epiphany, row boats down the Grand Canal in Venice Reuters
Epiphany Day
Men jump into a lake in an attempt to grab a wooden cross on Epiphany Day in Sofia Reuters
Epiphany Day
Greek Orthodox Oikomoniv reaches out to retrieve a wooden crucifix as he swims in the Golden Horn in Istanbul Reuters
Religion Christmas