“This is one of our foundations – alongside the beautiful Polish language, alongside our culture – Christian values, which have been with us for more than 1,000 years. They are what constitutes our national community. Even when those in power do not necessarily cultivate Christian values – and there have been various periods like this also in the Third Republic of Poland – Poles do,” said President of the Republic of Poland Karol Nawrocki during the Three Kings Procession in Warsaw.
This year’s motto of the Three Kings Procession, “Nadzieją się cieszą!”, is derived from the 17th-century Christmas carol Mędrcy świata, monarchowie by Stefan Bortkiewicz.
After the Angelus prayer, led by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Warsaw, Archbishop Adrian Galbas, the procession in the capital set off from the Nicolaus Copernicus Monument along the Royal Route to Castle Square, where the solemn homage of the Three Kings to Jesus in the manger will take place. Recognizing Him as King, Savior, and Highest Priest, they will offer Him myrrh – a sign of suffering and a symbol of prophecy, incense – a sign of prayer and a symbol of priesthood, and gold – a gift of a pure heart and a symbol of royal mission.
At the head of the procession walks the star, followed by a group of shepherds. The role of the King of Europe is played by Mariusz Buganik, a father of five children. The King of Asia is portrayed by Ericsson Sing, born in Hong Kong and raised in Canada, while the King of Africa is played by Abel Mane, who comes from Senegal and has lived in Poland for nine years. They are accompanied by knights and ladies of the court. There are also angels, portrayed by around 400 children from primary schools.
The President in the Warsaw Three Kings Procession
The presidential couple – Karol Nawrocki and his wife Marta Nawrocka – joined the procession near the Presidential Palace. “Of course, I used to take part in the procession in my home city – in Gdańsk. This is a beautiful tradition. Thanks to the organizers, many people, and this social effort, we can rejoice on the day of the Epiphany, known as the Feast of the Three Kings. We are joyful and in a moment we will be walking, saying out loud that Poland is very attached to these Catholic, Christian traditions, to the revelation of Jesus,” President Karol Nawrocki told the media.
Asked how important this tradition is, he replied: “It is very important. This procession is a social initiative, which is particularly moving. After all, it was Poles – over many years – who made it happen that today as many as 941 towns and cities are filled with processions.”
The President of the Republic of Poland emphasized that “what is moving is not only the magic of the feast itself, but also this deep social effort. And the fact that Poles organize processions across the entire country from the heart and take part in them. This is very important, it is crucial.”
Responding to a question about whether preserving tradition is important for survival, the head of the Polish state pointed out: “Of course, this is one of our foundations – alongside the beautiful Polish language, alongside our culture – Christian values, which have been with us for more than 1,000 years. They are what constitutes our national community. Even when those in power do not necessarily cultivate Christian values – and there have been various periods like this also in the Third Republic of Poland – Poles do. These values are deeply rooted in us… They signify love, mercy, and respect for another human being. This is the kind of nation we are.”