Epiphany 5th & 6th of January
Religious customs at the turn of the year
At this time of year an important religious custom is perpetuated in many farms and homes in Berchtesgaden. Holy water is fetched (often from three different churches and mixed), as well as incense and chalk that have been blessed. They are used for the three days of incensing, prayer, blessings and sprinkling of holy water that the farmer and other male members of the household carry out on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and on the 5th of January, called the third 'incensing' night.