Olympic hopeful shows mettle in winning Disney World Half Marathon
After Brittany Charboneau won the Kansas City Marathon in October, she hardly felt overjoyed. She was waiting to exhale. “I had put so much pressure on myself to win and to set a certain time, and I really didn’t enjoy it,’’ Charboneau said. “I kind of fell apart, so my goal today was to go out and do the exact opposite.’’ Charboneau, 29, was more relaxed but still victorious. She claimed the top spot among women’s finishers at the Walt Disney World Half Marathon on Saturday, running 13.1 miles in 1 hour, 17 minutes, 37 seconds. Joao Marcelo Avelar of São Paulo, Brazil, placed first overall among the 20,801 finishers in 1:08:28. The Walt Disney Marathon Weekend will conclude Sunday with the 25th annual marathon, beginning at 5:30 a.m. at Epcot. “During the race, there were people [on the course]: ‘Go, go, go, go, go,’’’ Avelar said. “[It was] motivation and good for the head. I am very happy.’’ Charboneau was pleased, too. Who wouldn’t be after setting a personal best? But it is more than that. With an eye on making the 2020 U.S. Olympic team, the Denver native is peaking. With temperatures in the high 30s, Charboneau thrived in the Disney World Half. She said she never had won a race of any length until crossing first in a half marathon in Chicago in 2015. Now look at her. “It snowballed from there,’’ Charboneau said. “It’s just been that confidence booster of, ‘Oh, my gosh, I can do this.’ I started to surprise myself.’’ A former runner at Colorado State, Charboneau quit her job in the marketing department of her sponsor to devote more time to running and pursuing a career as an actor and comedian. “I was on top of my mental game today,’’ Charboneau said. Kim Pawelek-Brantly of Jacksonville came in second in 1:25:57. Valery Perry of Oviedo finished third in 1:26:33. As for Avelar, the victory was his second in two days. He prevailed in the Disney World 10K on Friday in 31:56. Avelar, 33, is entered in the marathon Sunday. “It was cold, but I finished in a good time,’’ Avelar said. “So tired, so tired but good.’’ Nicholas Bowerman of Dubuque, Iowa, was second in 1:12:28. As Disney World Marathon turns 25, Louisiana man, 75, prepares to keep streak alive » sruiz@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5008
Twitter won't block world leaders or delete their messages
Twitter says it has no plans to block world leaders from its social media site or delete any of their controversial posts because any such action would “hide important information” from people and would likley not "silence" them. “Twitter is here to serve and help advance the global, public conversation,” the company, which has an estimated 330 million active users, said in a blog post Friday. “Elected world leaders play a critical role in that conversation because of their outsized impact on our society.” The social media tech giant -- which allows users to send relatively short text messages, photos and similar graphics to “followers” -- said, “Blocking a world leader from Twitter or removing their controversial tweets would hide important information people should be able to see and debate. "It would also not silence that leader, but it would certainly hamper necessary discussion around their words and actions.” Twitter’s comments come after a swell of outrage seemingly center on President Trump, who had used the so-called “micro-blogging” medium to effectively sidestep the mainstream media and get his messages out. Throughout his presidential campaign and into the first year of his administration, Trump’s messages have occasionally included language that has sparked widespread criticism from mainstream media and Democrats, like calling North Korea leader Kim Jong Un “Rocket Man” or rival Hillary Clinton “crooked Hillary.” In its post, Twitter did not specifically cite Trump in the blog post. The social media giant recently updated its “unlawful conduct or harassment” policy, saying such posts will result in users being banned. “We review tweets by leaders within the political context that defines them, and enforce our rules accordingly. No one person's account drives Twitter’s growth, or influences these decisions,” the company said in the post. “We are working to make Twitter the best place to see and freely discuss everything that matters.”
AP PHOTOS: World celebrates Epiphany with icy dips, parades
Updated 12:05 pm, Saturday, January 6, 2018 window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-5', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 5', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-10', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 10', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-15', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 15', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-20', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 20', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-23', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 23', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); Photo: Mindaugas Kulbis, AP Image 1 of 23 People parade through the streets as part of celebrations of Three Kings Day in Vilnius, Lithuania, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Epiphany, the 12th night of Christmas, marks the day the three wise men visited Christ. less People parade through the streets as part of celebrations of Three Kings Day in Vilnius, Lithuania, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Epiphany, the 12th night of Christmas, marks the day the three wise men visited ... more Photo: Mindaugas Kulbis, AP Image 2 of 23 Actors representing Mary and Joseph walk in Warsaw's annual Epiphany procession in Warsaw, Poland, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Actors representing Mary and Joseph walk in Warsaw's annual Epiphany procession in Warsaw, Poland, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Photo: Czarek Sokolowski, AP Image 3 of 23 Warsaw residents taking part in the annual Epiphany procession in Warsaw, Poland, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Warsaw residents taking part in the annual Epiphany procession in Warsaw, Poland, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Photo: Czarek Sokolowski, AP Image 4 of 23 Nicolaos Solis from Greece holds up the wooden cross which was thrown into the waters by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, during the Epiphany ceremony to bless the waters at the Golden Horn in Istanbul, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. less Nicolaos Solis from Greece holds up the wooden cross which was thrown into the waters by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, during the Epiphany ceremony to bless the waters at the Golden Horn in Istanbul, ... more Photo: Emrah Gurel, AP Image 5 of 23 Image 6 of 23 Nicolaos Solis from Greece kisses the wooden cross which was thrown into the waters by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, during the Epiphany ceremony to bless the waters at the Golden Horn in Istanbul, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. less Nicolaos Solis from Greece kisses the wooden cross which was thrown into the waters by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, during the Epiphany ceremony to bless the waters at the Golden Horn in Istanbul, ... more Photo: Emrah Gurel, AP Image 7 of 23 Angelos Filoxenidis, center, raises a cross retrieved from the sea during a water blessing ceremony marking the Epiphany celebrations in the Paleo Faliro suburb, southern Athens, Greece, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Similar ceremonies marking Epiphany were held across Greece on river banks, seafronts and lakes, where Orthodox priests throw a cross into the water and swimmers race to retrieve it. less Angelos Filoxenidis, center, raises a cross retrieved from the sea during a water blessing ceremony marking the Epiphany celebrations in the Paleo Faliro suburb, southern Athens, Greece, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. ... more Photo: Thanassis Stavrakis, AP Image 8 of 23 Polar swimmers take part in the traditional Three Kings swim in the Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Prague castle is in the background. Polar swimmers take part in the traditional Three Kings swim in the Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Prague castle is in the background. Photo: Petr David Josek, AP Image 9 of 23 Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians, center, conducts a mass at the Patriarchate's church prior to the traditional throwing of a wooden cross into the waters during the Epiphany ceremony to bless the waters at the Golden Horn in Istanbul, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. less Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians, center, conducts a mass at the Patriarchate's church prior to the traditional throwing of a wooden cross into the ... more Photo: Emrah Gurel, AP Image 10 of 23 Image 11 of 23 Pope Francis incenses the altar as he celebrates an Epiphany Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Francis, in a homily Saturday to mark Epiphany, said people are “often make do” with having “health, a little money and a bit of entertainment.” less Pope Francis incenses the altar as he celebrates an Epiphany Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Francis, in a homily Saturday to mark Epiphany, said people are “often make ... more Photo: Andrew Medichini, AP Image 12 of 23 Pope Francis kisses a statue of the Divine Infant as he arrives to celebrate an Epiphany Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Pope Francis kisses a statue of the Divine Infant as he arrives to celebrate an Epiphany Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Photo: Andrew Medichini, AP Image 13 of 23 A priest blesses horses before the traditional Epiphany celebration horse race in Pietrosani, Romania, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. According to the local Epiphany traditions, following a religious service, villagers have their horses blessed with holy water then compete in a race. less A priest blesses horses before the traditional Epiphany celebration horse race in Pietrosani, Romania, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. According to the local Epiphany traditions, following a religious service, ... more Photo: Vadim Ghirda, AP Image 14 of 23 EDS NOTE : SPANISH LAW REQUIRES THAT THE FACES OF MINORS ARE MASKED IN PUBLICATIONS WITHIN SPAIN. A young girls is carried by one of Tree King during The Cabalgata Los Reyes Magos (Cavalcade of the three kings) the day before Epiphany, in Pamplona, northern Spain, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The parade symbolizes the coming of the Magi to Bethlehem following the birth of Jesus, marked in Spain and many Latin American countries Epiphany is the day when gifts are exchanged. less EDS NOTE : SPANISH LAW REQUIRES THAT THE FACES OF MINORS ARE MASKED IN PUBLICATIONS WITHIN SPAIN. A young girls is carried by one of Tree King during The Cabalgata Los Reyes Magos (Cavalcade of the three kings) ... more Photo: Alvaro Barrientos, AP Image 15 of 23 Image 16 of 23 EDS NOTE : SPANISH LAW REQUIRES THAT THE FACES OF MINORS ARE MASKED IN PUBLICATIONS WITHIN SPAIN. A young girl displays a crown taking part during The Cabalgata Los Reyes Magos (Cavalcade of the three kings) the day before Epiphany, in Pamplona, northern Spain, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The parade symbolizes the coming of the Magi to Bethlehem following the birth of Jesus, marked in Spain and many Latin American countries Epiphany is the day when gifts are exchanged. less EDS NOTE : SPANISH LAW REQUIRES THAT THE FACES OF MINORS ARE MASKED IN PUBLICATIONS WITHIN SPAIN. A young girl displays a crown taking part during The Cabalgata Los Reyes Magos (Cavalcade of the three kings) ... more Photo: Alvaro Barrientos, AP Image 17 of 23 Men dressed as the Three Kings ride on camels during a procession of the Three Kings across the Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The procession, which annually marks the end of the Christmas festivities in Prague, is a re-enactment of the journey of the Three Kings to visit the infant Jesus. Prague Castle is in the background. less Men dressed as the Three Kings ride on camels during a procession of the Three Kings across the Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The procession, which annually marks the end of ... more Photo: Petr David Josek, AP Image 18 of 23 A man takes a photo of a procession of the Three Kings marching across the Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The procession, which annually marks the end of the Christmas festivities in Prague, is a re-enactment of the journey of the Three Kings to visit the infant Jesus. less A man takes a photo of a procession of the Three Kings marching across the Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The procession, which annually marks the end of the Christmas ... more Photo: Petr David Josek, AP Image 19 of 23 Performance artist Roberto Martinez Perez, dressed as one of the Three Kings, reads a newspaper while waiting for families wanting to pose for souvenir photos on the eve of the Epiphany, in the historic center of Mexico City, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. In Mexico, it is customary for people to give gifts on Three Kings Day also known as the Epiphany, commemorated on Jan. 6. According to Christian tradition, Jan. 6 marks the arrival of three wise men bearing gifts for the baby Jesus. less Performance artist Roberto Martinez Perez, dressed as one of the Three Kings, reads a newspaper while waiting for families wanting to pose for souvenir photos on the eve of the Epiphany, in the historic center ... more Photo: Rebecca Blackwell, AP Image 20 of 23 Image 21 of 23 Performance artist David Antonio Lopez De La Fuente Campos, dressed as one of the Three Kings, waits for families wanting to pose for souvenir photos on the eve of the Epiphany, in the historic center of Mexico City, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. In Mexico, it is customary for people to give gifts on Three Kings Day also known as the Epiphany, commemorated on Jan. 6. According to Christian tradition, Jan. 6 marks the arrival of three wise men bearing gifts for the baby Jesus. less Performance artist David Antonio Lopez De La Fuente Campos, dressed as one of the Three Kings, waits for families wanting to pose for souvenir photos on the eve of the Epiphany, in the historic center of Mexico ... more Photo: Rebecca Blackwell, AP Image 22 of 23 An assistant rings a bell to get children to look toward the camera as a family poses for photographs with performers dressed as the Three Kings on an elaborate set at a fair in Mexico City, Friday, on Jan. 5, 2018, the eve of the Epiphany. In Mexico, it is customary for people to give gifts on Three Kings Day also known as the Epiphany, commemorated on Jan. 6. According to Christian tradition, Jan. 6 marks the arrival of three wise men bearing gifts for the baby Jesus. less An assistant rings a bell to get children to look toward the camera as a family poses for photographs with performers dressed as the Three Kings on an elaborate set at a fair in Mexico City, Friday, on Jan. 5, ... more Photo: Rebecca Blackwell, AP Image 23 of 23 AP PHOTOS: World celebrates Epiphany with icy dips, parades 1 / 23 Back to Gallery ISTANBUL (AP) — Icy dips in the sea. Parades with camels, kings and crowns. Presents for homeless children and admonishments to live a better life. All this took place Saturday as Christians around the world celebrated the holiday of Epiphany, which recalls the three kings, or magi, who reportedly followed a star to find the baby Jesus. The date — Jan. 6 — is commonly known as "Day of the Magi" in Latin America and it's when children traditionally unwrap holiday gifts rather than on Christmas Day. It's also known as "Three Kings Day" as well as Epiphany. Pope Francis, during a homily at Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, asked "what star we have chosen to follow in our lives?" He urged people not to make the pursuit of money, a career or success the basis for their whole life but to help those in need instead. In Istanbul, the Greek Orthodox Christian community celebrated Epiphany with a traditional blessing in which a cross is tossed into the water and retrieved by swimmers. Epiphany parades filled the streets of several nations, including Spain, Lithuania and Poland, where parents and children wearing paper crowns marched with performers in costume.
After Brittany Charboneau won the Kansas City Marathon in October, she hardly felt overjoyed. She was waiting to exhale. “I had put so much pressure on myself to win and to set a certain time, and I really didn’t enjoy it,’’ Charboneau said. “I kind of fell apart, so my goal today was to go out and do the exact opposite.’’ Charboneau, 29, was more relaxed but still victorious. She claimed the top spot among women’s finishers at the Walt Disney World Half Marathon on Saturday, running 13.1 miles in 1 hour, 17 minutes, 37 seconds. Joao Marcelo Avelar of São Paulo, Brazil, placed first overall among the 20,801 finishers in 1:08:28. The Walt Disney Marathon Weekend will conclude Sunday with the 25th annual marathon, beginning at 5:30 a.m. at Epcot. “During the race, there were people [on the course]: ‘Go, go, go, go, go,’’’ Avelar said. “[It was] motivation and good for the head. I am very happy.’’ Charboneau was pleased, too. Who wouldn’t be after setting a personal best? But it is more than that. With an eye on making the 2020 U.S. Olympic team, the Denver native is peaking. With temperatures in the high 30s, Charboneau thrived in the Disney World Half. She said she never had won a race of any length until crossing first in a half marathon in Chicago in 2015. Now look at her. “It snowballed from there,’’ Charboneau said. “It’s just been that confidence booster of, ‘Oh, my gosh, I can do this.’ I started to surprise myself.’’ A former runner at Colorado State, Charboneau quit her job in the marketing department of her sponsor to devote more time to running and pursuing a career as an actor and comedian. “I was on top of my mental game today,’’ Charboneau said. Kim Pawelek-Brantly of Jacksonville came in second in 1:25:57. Valery Perry of Oviedo finished third in 1:26:33. As for Avelar, the victory was his second in two days. He prevailed in the Disney World 10K on Friday in 31:56. Avelar, 33, is entered in the marathon Sunday. “It was cold, but I finished in a good time,’’ Avelar said. “So tired, so tired but good.’’ Nicholas Bowerman of Dubuque, Iowa, was second in 1:12:28. As Disney World Marathon turns 25, Louisiana man, 75, prepares to keep streak alive » sruiz@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5008
Twitter won't block world leaders or delete their messages
Twitter says it has no plans to block world leaders from its social media site or delete any of their controversial posts because any such action would “hide important information” from people and would likley not "silence" them. “Twitter is here to serve and help advance the global, public conversation,” the company, which has an estimated 330 million active users, said in a blog post Friday. “Elected world leaders play a critical role in that conversation because of their outsized impact on our society.” The social media tech giant -- which allows users to send relatively short text messages, photos and similar graphics to “followers” -- said, “Blocking a world leader from Twitter or removing their controversial tweets would hide important information people should be able to see and debate. "It would also not silence that leader, but it would certainly hamper necessary discussion around their words and actions.” Twitter’s comments come after a swell of outrage seemingly center on President Trump, who had used the so-called “micro-blogging” medium to effectively sidestep the mainstream media and get his messages out. Throughout his presidential campaign and into the first year of his administration, Trump’s messages have occasionally included language that has sparked widespread criticism from mainstream media and Democrats, like calling North Korea leader Kim Jong Un “Rocket Man” or rival Hillary Clinton “crooked Hillary.” In its post, Twitter did not specifically cite Trump in the blog post. The social media giant recently updated its “unlawful conduct or harassment” policy, saying such posts will result in users being banned. “We review tweets by leaders within the political context that defines them, and enforce our rules accordingly. No one person's account drives Twitter’s growth, or influences these decisions,” the company said in the post. “We are working to make Twitter the best place to see and freely discuss everything that matters.”
AP PHOTOS: World celebrates Epiphany with icy dips, parades
Updated 12:05 pm, Saturday, January 6, 2018 window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-5', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 5', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-10', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 10', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-15', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 15', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-20', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 20', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-23', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 23', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true}); Photo: Mindaugas Kulbis, AP Image 1 of 23 People parade through the streets as part of celebrations of Three Kings Day in Vilnius, Lithuania, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Epiphany, the 12th night of Christmas, marks the day the three wise men visited Christ. less People parade through the streets as part of celebrations of Three Kings Day in Vilnius, Lithuania, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Epiphany, the 12th night of Christmas, marks the day the three wise men visited ... more Photo: Mindaugas Kulbis, AP Image 2 of 23 Actors representing Mary and Joseph walk in Warsaw's annual Epiphany procession in Warsaw, Poland, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Actors representing Mary and Joseph walk in Warsaw's annual Epiphany procession in Warsaw, Poland, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Photo: Czarek Sokolowski, AP Image 3 of 23 Warsaw residents taking part in the annual Epiphany procession in Warsaw, Poland, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Warsaw residents taking part in the annual Epiphany procession in Warsaw, Poland, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Photo: Czarek Sokolowski, AP Image 4 of 23 Nicolaos Solis from Greece holds up the wooden cross which was thrown into the waters by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, during the Epiphany ceremony to bless the waters at the Golden Horn in Istanbul, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. less Nicolaos Solis from Greece holds up the wooden cross which was thrown into the waters by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, during the Epiphany ceremony to bless the waters at the Golden Horn in Istanbul, ... more Photo: Emrah Gurel, AP Image 5 of 23 Image 6 of 23 Nicolaos Solis from Greece kisses the wooden cross which was thrown into the waters by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, during the Epiphany ceremony to bless the waters at the Golden Horn in Istanbul, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. less Nicolaos Solis from Greece kisses the wooden cross which was thrown into the waters by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, during the Epiphany ceremony to bless the waters at the Golden Horn in Istanbul, ... more Photo: Emrah Gurel, AP Image 7 of 23 Angelos Filoxenidis, center, raises a cross retrieved from the sea during a water blessing ceremony marking the Epiphany celebrations in the Paleo Faliro suburb, southern Athens, Greece, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Similar ceremonies marking Epiphany were held across Greece on river banks, seafronts and lakes, where Orthodox priests throw a cross into the water and swimmers race to retrieve it. less Angelos Filoxenidis, center, raises a cross retrieved from the sea during a water blessing ceremony marking the Epiphany celebrations in the Paleo Faliro suburb, southern Athens, Greece, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. ... more Photo: Thanassis Stavrakis, AP Image 8 of 23 Polar swimmers take part in the traditional Three Kings swim in the Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Prague castle is in the background. Polar swimmers take part in the traditional Three Kings swim in the Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Prague castle is in the background. Photo: Petr David Josek, AP Image 9 of 23 Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians, center, conducts a mass at the Patriarchate's church prior to the traditional throwing of a wooden cross into the waters during the Epiphany ceremony to bless the waters at the Golden Horn in Istanbul, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. less Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians, center, conducts a mass at the Patriarchate's church prior to the traditional throwing of a wooden cross into the ... more Photo: Emrah Gurel, AP Image 10 of 23 Image 11 of 23 Pope Francis incenses the altar as he celebrates an Epiphany Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Francis, in a homily Saturday to mark Epiphany, said people are “often make do” with having “health, a little money and a bit of entertainment.” less Pope Francis incenses the altar as he celebrates an Epiphany Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Francis, in a homily Saturday to mark Epiphany, said people are “often make ... more Photo: Andrew Medichini, AP Image 12 of 23 Pope Francis kisses a statue of the Divine Infant as he arrives to celebrate an Epiphany Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Pope Francis kisses a statue of the Divine Infant as he arrives to celebrate an Epiphany Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Photo: Andrew Medichini, AP Image 13 of 23 A priest blesses horses before the traditional Epiphany celebration horse race in Pietrosani, Romania, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. According to the local Epiphany traditions, following a religious service, villagers have their horses blessed with holy water then compete in a race. less A priest blesses horses before the traditional Epiphany celebration horse race in Pietrosani, Romania, Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. According to the local Epiphany traditions, following a religious service, ... more Photo: Vadim Ghirda, AP Image 14 of 23 EDS NOTE : SPANISH LAW REQUIRES THAT THE FACES OF MINORS ARE MASKED IN PUBLICATIONS WITHIN SPAIN. A young girls is carried by one of Tree King during The Cabalgata Los Reyes Magos (Cavalcade of the three kings) the day before Epiphany, in Pamplona, northern Spain, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The parade symbolizes the coming of the Magi to Bethlehem following the birth of Jesus, marked in Spain and many Latin American countries Epiphany is the day when gifts are exchanged. less EDS NOTE : SPANISH LAW REQUIRES THAT THE FACES OF MINORS ARE MASKED IN PUBLICATIONS WITHIN SPAIN. A young girls is carried by one of Tree King during The Cabalgata Los Reyes Magos (Cavalcade of the three kings) ... more Photo: Alvaro Barrientos, AP Image 15 of 23 Image 16 of 23 EDS NOTE : SPANISH LAW REQUIRES THAT THE FACES OF MINORS ARE MASKED IN PUBLICATIONS WITHIN SPAIN. A young girl displays a crown taking part during The Cabalgata Los Reyes Magos (Cavalcade of the three kings) the day before Epiphany, in Pamplona, northern Spain, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The parade symbolizes the coming of the Magi to Bethlehem following the birth of Jesus, marked in Spain and many Latin American countries Epiphany is the day when gifts are exchanged. less EDS NOTE : SPANISH LAW REQUIRES THAT THE FACES OF MINORS ARE MASKED IN PUBLICATIONS WITHIN SPAIN. A young girl displays a crown taking part during The Cabalgata Los Reyes Magos (Cavalcade of the three kings) ... more Photo: Alvaro Barrientos, AP Image 17 of 23 Men dressed as the Three Kings ride on camels during a procession of the Three Kings across the Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The procession, which annually marks the end of the Christmas festivities in Prague, is a re-enactment of the journey of the Three Kings to visit the infant Jesus. Prague Castle is in the background. less Men dressed as the Three Kings ride on camels during a procession of the Three Kings across the Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The procession, which annually marks the end of ... more Photo: Petr David Josek, AP Image 18 of 23 A man takes a photo of a procession of the Three Kings marching across the Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The procession, which annually marks the end of the Christmas festivities in Prague, is a re-enactment of the journey of the Three Kings to visit the infant Jesus. less A man takes a photo of a procession of the Three Kings marching across the Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. The procession, which annually marks the end of the Christmas ... more Photo: Petr David Josek, AP Image 19 of 23 Performance artist Roberto Martinez Perez, dressed as one of the Three Kings, reads a newspaper while waiting for families wanting to pose for souvenir photos on the eve of the Epiphany, in the historic center of Mexico City, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. In Mexico, it is customary for people to give gifts on Three Kings Day also known as the Epiphany, commemorated on Jan. 6. According to Christian tradition, Jan. 6 marks the arrival of three wise men bearing gifts for the baby Jesus. less Performance artist Roberto Martinez Perez, dressed as one of the Three Kings, reads a newspaper while waiting for families wanting to pose for souvenir photos on the eve of the Epiphany, in the historic center ... more Photo: Rebecca Blackwell, AP Image 20 of 23 Image 21 of 23 Performance artist David Antonio Lopez De La Fuente Campos, dressed as one of the Three Kings, waits for families wanting to pose for souvenir photos on the eve of the Epiphany, in the historic center of Mexico City, Friday, Jan. 5, 2018. In Mexico, it is customary for people to give gifts on Three Kings Day also known as the Epiphany, commemorated on Jan. 6. According to Christian tradition, Jan. 6 marks the arrival of three wise men bearing gifts for the baby Jesus. less Performance artist David Antonio Lopez De La Fuente Campos, dressed as one of the Three Kings, waits for families wanting to pose for souvenir photos on the eve of the Epiphany, in the historic center of Mexico ... more Photo: Rebecca Blackwell, AP Image 22 of 23 An assistant rings a bell to get children to look toward the camera as a family poses for photographs with performers dressed as the Three Kings on an elaborate set at a fair in Mexico City, Friday, on Jan. 5, 2018, the eve of the Epiphany. In Mexico, it is customary for people to give gifts on Three Kings Day also known as the Epiphany, commemorated on Jan. 6. According to Christian tradition, Jan. 6 marks the arrival of three wise men bearing gifts for the baby Jesus. less An assistant rings a bell to get children to look toward the camera as a family poses for photographs with performers dressed as the Three Kings on an elaborate set at a fair in Mexico City, Friday, on Jan. 5, ... more Photo: Rebecca Blackwell, AP Image 23 of 23 AP PHOTOS: World celebrates Epiphany with icy dips, parades 1 / 23 Back to Gallery ISTANBUL (AP) — Icy dips in the sea. Parades with camels, kings and crowns. Presents for homeless children and admonishments to live a better life. All this took place Saturday as Christians around the world celebrated the holiday of Epiphany, which recalls the three kings, or magi, who reportedly followed a star to find the baby Jesus. The date — Jan. 6 — is commonly known as "Day of the Magi" in Latin America and it's when children traditionally unwrap holiday gifts rather than on Christmas Day. It's also known as "Three Kings Day" as well as Epiphany. Pope Francis, during a homily at Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, asked "what star we have chosen to follow in our lives?" He urged people not to make the pursuit of money, a career or success the basis for their whole life but to help those in need instead. In Istanbul, the Greek Orthodox Christian community celebrated Epiphany with a traditional blessing in which a cross is tossed into the water and retrieved by swimmers. Epiphany parades filled the streets of several nations, including Spain, Lithuania and Poland, where parents and children wearing paper crowns marched with performers in costume.
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