Poland: Pope Leo blesses Three Kings Parade

Three Kings in Warsaw

Source: Vatican News, Orszak Trzech Króli

Pope Leo XIV has sent his Apostolic Blessing to participants in the Three Kings Parade, the world's largest street Nativity scene held annually on the Solemnity of the Epiphany, in Warsaw. Similar events also took place in many more places in Poland and around the world.

On behalf of the Holy Father, the Holy See sent a letter with the papal blessing and spiritual support to Piotr Giertych, Chairman of the Three Kings Parade Foundation, (Orszak Trzech Króli). which organizes the events.

In his letter, Pope Leo said he was "informed about the idea of the Three Kings Parade organized since 2009 on the Solemnity of the Epiphany in Poland and in many countries worldwide," and united himself "spiritually with all those who, together with the Three Kings, bear witness to Christ on the streets of cities and villages."

The Three Kings Parade is an open, family-oriented parade inspired by the biblical account of the Three Magi in Bethlehem.

Participants, including children, families, and volunteers, take on the roles of kings, courtiers, shepherds, and angels. The event holds religious and cultural significance as a public witness of faith, fostering community engagement and celebrating tradition in urban spaces.

This year's parade, with the motto 'Rejoicing in Hope', emphasized that the Magi's perseverance and faith offer a powerful and relevant message for Christians today.

The parade, following the Royal Route in Warsaw, invited all to turn symbolically toward Bethlehem and the Holy Family.

The Warsaw parade began with the Angelus, led by Archbishop Adrian Galbas, Metropolitan Archbishop of Warsaw.

Referring to the recently concluded Jubilee Year, celebrated in the spirit of hope as 'Pilgrims of Hope,' Archbishop Galbas noted that participants now continue that journey together in the parade. He also pointed to the missionary character of the modern city and encouraged the faithful to bear witness to the Christian life not only on feast days but also in everyday life.

A distinctive feature of the Three Kings Parade in Warsaw is the presence of three groups: European, Asian, and African highlighting the universality of Christianity.

The roles of the Three Kings were taken by participants from different ethnic backgrounds and countries. Each parade was accompanied by knights, ladies-in-waiting, and animals, while scenes featuring angels and devils illustrated the spiritual struggle between good and evil. At the head of the parade walked a large figure of an angel proclaiming the Saviour's birth.

The roles of the Holy Family were played by Magdalena and Paweł Nowicki, together with their nearly one-year-old son. The President of the Republic of Poland, Karol Nawrocki together with his wife Marta also took part in the Warsaw parade.

The Three Kings Parade in Warsaw is the largest and oldest event of its kind in Poland. It was initiated in 2009 by the "Żagle" School of the Sternik Association. Today, the event is organized by the Three Kings Parade Foundation.

For several decades, the Solemnity of the Epiphany, celebrated on 6 January, was not a public holiday in Poland. This changed in 2011. Since then, the number of Three Kings Parades held in Poland and abroad has continued to grow.

Read more about the Three Kings Foundation (Orszak Trzech Króli) https://orszak.org/