This year, the feast of the Epiphany is completely different, due to the measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. For another year, however, the word Theophanes (e) ia is written in two different ways.
Some prefer "Epiphany", Others the"Epiphany». Finally, what is the correct spelling?
We read in Dictionary of Common Modern Greek: Epiphany τα [θeofánia] O40: the feast of the baptism of Christ, the Lights [log. <elnst. φάν Epiphany (celebration of the birth and baptism of Christ, according to the older ἡ Ἐ surface)> μσν. the Epiphany (feast of the baptism of Christ), with change of gender and number anal. to Christ's birth> Christmas (cf. arch. the Epiphany 'feast in Delphi, where they showed statues of gods')]. That is, the Dictionary accepts the words spelling Epiphany, but in the feminine: The Epiphany (as accordingly the Surface).
But also in his Etymology Dictionary George Babiniotis we read the following: "Various holidays are pronounced in the plural of neutral, as is the case with the Epiphanies and the Epiphanies (cf. also Isthmia, Pythia, and even Christmas). Because these words come directly from the subject of p. (prominent), it is correct to write them with -ι- (Epiphany, Theophany), which separates them from the derivatives of the adjective (eg prominent - the surface) ".
To see it in time, in ancient times there was a celebration Epiphany. The Epiphany was celebrated on the 7th of the month of Vysios only in Delphi. With this celebration the Delphic Year began and the religious people celebrated the return of Apollo from the Land of the Far East. This celebration coincided with the beginning of spring and the vernal equinox, but it was purely local. The vernal equinox in other cities was celebrated under the name "Hilaria", where religious people wore a wreath on their head and a comic mask on their face, signs of joy and happiness.
Theoxenia was a similar celebration, and in fact bigger than the Epiphany and not only in Delphi. Theoxenia was celebrated on the 7th of the month of Theoxenio and the celebrated god also hosted the other gods. Both festivals belong to the Apollonian Circle and are based in Delphi.
Later, however, the word Epiphany took a prominent place in the vocabulary of our religion, as it was used to declare the mystery of the incarnation of God, but also the birth of Christ, as in fact Christmas had a double name, which is confirmed by the fact that on January 6 they once honored both major holidays. And this until the 4th century, when these two holidays got their way, as now Christmas was celebrated on December 25, a day dedicated to the Sun God by the nationals. From that point on, then, the word Theophanes (e) began to be used for the Baptism of the Lord (appearance of the Holy Trinity, feast of Lights), along with the word Epiphany.
Etymologically, the writing with -ει- is partially justified as a statement of the status of the adjective "theophanic". However, this is a celebration in a neutral gender, when it is considered preferable to keep the writing with -i- (such as Pythia, Isthmia, etc.).