A man holds a wooden cross after retrieving it from the sea during an Epiphany ceremony in Greece's northern port of Thessaloniki, Jan. 6. Similar ceremonies to mark Epiphany Day are hold across the country on river banks, seafronts and lakes.

Bulgarian men perform the traditional Bulgarian "Horo" dance in the icy winter waters of the Tundzha river in the town of Kalofer, as part of the Epiphany Day celebrations, Jan. 6. As a tradition, an Eastern Orthodox priest throws a cross in the river and it is believed that the one who retreives it will be healthy trough the year as well as all those who dance in the icy waters.

A fireworks display during the Twelfth Night procession in front of the Cibeles palace in Madrid, Spain, Jan. 5. The 'Cabalgata de Reyes' is a parade held on Jan. 5, the eve of Epiphany, in most Spanish towns and cities. It celebrates the coming of the Three Kings with their gifts for the infant Jesus. During the parade the Three Kings throw sweets into the crowd.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel looks into a bag she received from Sternsinger (carol singers) arriving from Augsburg at the Chancellery in Berlin, January 5. Sternsingers collect money between Christmas and Epiphany for charitable projects of the Roman Catholic church. This year's proceeds will go towards projects working on improving the integration of disabled children. The carol singers are dressed dressed in 'Three Wise Men' costumes.

Children look at geese in central Madrid during the traditional Epiphany parade Jan. 5. Traditionally, children in Spain receive their presents on the morning of Jan. 6 delivered by the Three Wise Men.