Public holiday in Cyprus
Feast of the Theophany in Cyprus
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Nationwide public holiday
Feast of the Theophany is a nationwide public holiday in Cyprus observed on 6 January. It marks the Christian feast of the baptism of Jesus and is closely associated with church blessings of water.
About Feast of the Theophany in Cyprus
In Cyprus, Feast of the Theophany is one of the fixed public holidays on the calendar and is observed across the country on 6 January. It falls at the start of the year and is closely linked to the Orthodox liturgical season, giving the day a strong religious character in public life. For many people, it also marks the close of the Christmas period and the return to ordinary routines after the holiday season.
History
The feast is part of the long Christian calendar observed by the Church of Cyprus, which follows the Orthodox tradition. Its place as a public holiday reflects the island’s historic Christian heritage rather than a recent civic observance.
Traditions
The central custom associated with the day in Cyprus is the blessing of water. In Orthodox practice, this feast commemorates the baptism of Christ in the River Jordan, and churches mark it with a liturgical service that includes the consecration of water.
How Feast of the Theophany is celebrated in Cyprus
People attend church services, and in many coastal places the blessing of the waters is the most visible public observance. The day is also treated as a holiday from normal work and school routines.
Interesting facts
The holiday is fixed to 6 January and does not move from year to year. It is observed nationwide, not only in particular towns or districts.
Dates in published calendars
| Year | Holiday date | Observed date | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 Jan 2026 | — | Nationwide |
Import sources
- Generic ICS feed
An import is not an independent verification.