An event like this has never taken place in England before. But Sunday 9th January 2022 saw what is thought to have been England’s first Polish Three Kings Procession.

A strong community spirit was on show, as locals turned out in their numbers on this sunny Sunday afternoon, filling the streets of Ealing with religious joy.

The 100-strong group, of varying ages, began the short walk from Christ Church at 14:00, reaching Ealing Abbey around 45 minutes later. Several others joined in along the way, with every person more than welcome. The late comers were even offered spare complementary cardboard crowns to look the part!

Hymn singing could be heard throughout the procession, both in English and Polish, with the common Christmas classics particularly prominent. The event culminated on the steps leading up to Ealing Abbey, where an adapted nativity scene provided a commendable ending. There was still time for the Mayor of Ealing, Councillor Munir Ahmed, to give a small yet well-rounded speech on the importance of such events.

The procession itself celebrated Epiphany, an important celebration in the Catholic calendar. Traditionally held on January 6th, it commemorates the arrival of the Three Wise Men in Bethlehem, to pay tribute to Jesus, 12 days after his birth.

In many countries, including Poland, the Feast of Epiphany is known as Three Kings’ Day, where it is celebrated with a wide array of customs. Poles may take small gifts to Church, pray for Polish missionaries, or alternatively bake a ‘King Cake’, with a lucky coin or almond. The person who receives the piece containing it is King.

Above all, this procession is just one of many examples of the thriving Polish populations in London, and indeed in England.

There are nearly 700,000 Polish nationals living in the UK, with around 125,000 in London. Since Poland joined the EU in 2004, over 800,000 have made the move to the UK, making the Poles one of the largest ethnic minorities in the country. Furthermore, the Polish language is the second-most spoken in England, and events like these will continue to strengthen the multitude of ties already holding Poland and England tightly together.