„Kinigrachn“ in Castelbello and Ciardes
Blessing of the house on Epiphany
According to old legend, the long nights between Christmas Eve and Epiphany were scary, frankincense and imploring prayers were supposed to protect from evil influences. What is left is the custom of Epiphany, which was threatened particularly by„ Perchten“ and villains. The housefather places incense seeds into the embers of a smoking fire and moves with the family through the home, while praying the rosary and splashing freshly hallowed water, drawing the letters C+M+B on the doors with chalk. Christus mansionem benedicat – Christ bless our home. We do not believe in evil spirits that have been released, however the three holy letters are on our doors, they don’t do any good, they don’t do any harm.