A colorful procession, the communal singing of carols, and a public witness of faith. On January 6, the Three Kings Procession will pass through the streets of Warsaw and nearly a thousand towns in Poland and abroad, bringing together families, communities, and parishes in a shared celebration of the Solemnity of the Epiphany.
The Solemnity of the Epiphany has held a special significance in Poland for years. On this day, families, schools, communities, and parishes take to the streets to participate in the Three Kings Procession – the largest open-air Nativity pageant in the world. This year’s motto, “They Rejoice in Hope,” taken from the carol Mędrcy świata, refers to the Jubilee Year and invites participants to discover the hope that is born from an encounter with Christ.
The King of Europe in the Warsaw procession will be Mariusz Boganik, an engineer and the father of five, who will take on the role of King Caspar. As he emphasizes, participation in the event has an educational dimension. “The procession allows us to pass on values and to raise children precisely through action – not through talking, but through what we do,” he told Vatican News. He treats his preparations for the role as a personal journey of faith and a step beyond his everyday comfort zone. The procession will also feature the Holy Family, portrayed by Magdalena and Paweł Nowiccy together with their young son Lech. As they stress, their participation is above all a testimony for the youngest. “We do this mainly for our children, because we have five children (…) in this way we pass on our faith to them,” they note. For parents, it is also a reminder that holiness is lived out in everyday life, in love and in self-giving for the sake of others.
The procession’s script leads participants through the story of the Magi’s journey. Along the routes, there will be angels and shepherds, but also devils who will tempt people with sadness and discouragement. The message remains clear: despite adversity, it is worth setting out on the journey and trusting in God. The Kings are presented as “pilgrims of hope” who do not stop halfway.
In the capital, the procession will set off on January 6 at 12:00 p.m. from the Nicolaus Copernicus monument, following the Angelus prayer. The colorful march will proceed along the Royal Route to Castle Square, where the homage of the Three Kings will take place. Similar events are planned in nearly a thousand towns across Poland and in many countries in Europe, Africa, and both Americas.
An integral part of the procession is communal carol singing. The organizers emphasize that singing in public space builds community and makes it possible to bear witness to faith. In this way, the procession becomes a meeting place for generations, cultures, and experiences.
A colorful mosaic of characters and symbols comes together to form a single image – a joyful celebration of the Solemnity of the Epiphany and a reminder that Christian hope still has the power to unite people today.