Epiphany comes from a Greek word meaning "appearance." It was used in Greek literature in many secular ways, so its inclusion in a Greek religious text does not in itself signify the feast day that comes about 12 days after Christmas in the contemporary world. In a Christian text from the second century, according to the Oxford History of Christian Worship, Clement of Alexandria alludes to the Eastern event (but not the name Epiphany) celebrating the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan:
"The followers of Basilides celebrate the day of his baptism also, spending the night before in reading."[See Clement of Alexandria Stromata 1,21,146.]Translated by Bainton
"Basilidian Chronology and New Testament Interpretation,"
Roland H. Bainton;
Journal of Biblical Literature , Vol. 42, No. 1/2 (1923), pp. 81-134.
The Oxford History says that in the West, Epiphany refers to the visit of the three wise men (the magi), but in the East refers to the baptism or the birthday.
Bainton says some celebrated the important religious Epiphany as early as the writing of the fourth Gospel. A fourth century pagan writer, Ammianus Marcellinus, is said to be the first extant writer to use Epiphany as the name of the Christian festival.
An early allusion in Christian material and a later named reference from a non-Christian writer don't exactly answer the question. Do you know more? Please post in the comments.
Comments
An extensive discussion with many references is found at
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05504c.htm
This article is in the “old” Catholic Encyclopedia. It is mutltiple links to topics, names and dates introduced in the text. I hope this helps.
The best answer I know so far is “early” in Christian History, but elusive to pin down.
I am interested in any writings you have linking Daniel to the Wise Men.
Daniel was a eunuch. He was very very wealthy. Who got his money and what did they do with it? Wasn’t he an astrologer? A Magi? Perhaps The Magi? Who better than Daniel to predict the coming of his people’s Messiah?
It seems these Magi pop in from nowhere and disappear the same way. They are an anomaly to the casual observer, a curiosity to me.
I am interested in any writings you have linking Daniel to the Wise Men.
Daniel was a eunuch. He was very very wealthy. Who got his money and what did they do with it? Wasn’t he an astrologer? A Magi? Perhaps The Magi? Who better than Daniel to predict the coming of his people’s Messiah?
It seems these Magi pop in from nowhere and disappear the same way. They are an anomaly to the casual observer, a curiosity to me.
Who cares about the date or the reason for that. What about the psycho-religious experience of a moment of enlightenment? Is that the Paul story? When did it become a general term for sudden realization?