The Epiphany - celebrating the first coming - the 12th night of Christmas

This post has come from the blog of Father Michael Marsh.   

Father Michael blogs at Interrupting The Silence. It is a great favourite of mine.

 

Epiphany Proclamation 2014

Michael Marsh / 9 hours ago

The Church has a couple of traditions related to The Feast of the Epiphany. One of those is The Epiphany Proclamation (another being the blessing of homes). During the liturgy on the Feast of the Epiphany, January 6, the Church proclaims the date of Easter as well as other feast and fast dates. The Proclamation announces more than dates. It proclaims the reality that our lives are to be lived in rhythm with and according to Jesus’ life. Here is the proclamation for this liturgical year:

Epiphany Proclamation 2014

Dear brothers and sisters, the glory of the Lord has shone upon us, and shall ever be manifest among us, until the day of His return.

Through the rhythms of times and seasons let us celebrate the mysteries of salvation.

Let us recall the year’s culmination, the Easter Triduum of the Lord: His Last Supper, His Crucifixion and Death, His Burial, and His Rising, celebrated between the evening of the 17^th day of April and the evening of the 19^th day of April, Easter Sunday being on the 20^th day of April.

Each Easter—as on each Sunday—the Holy Church makes present the great and saving deed by which Christ has forever conquered sin and death. From Easter are reckoned all the days we keep holy.

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, will occur on the 5^th day of March.

The Ascension of the Lord will be commemorated on the 29^th day of May.

Pentecost, the joyful conclusion of the season of Easter, will be celebrated on the 8^th day of June.

And this year the First Sunday of Advent will be on the 30^th day of November.

Likewise the pilgrim Church proclaims the Passover of Christ in the feasts of the holy Mother of God, in the feasts of the Apostles and Saints, and in the commemoration of the faithful departed.

To Jesus Christ, who was, who is, and who is to come, Lord of time and history, be endless praise, for ever and ever. Amen.

Father Michael has also written about another tradition of the Epiphany here.  Ephiphany is the 12th day of Christmas and commemorates the coming of The Wise men.  In 2014, the official date of Epiphany is January 6 - but, mostly, it will be celebrated this Sunday January 5.  

Icon of the Adoration of the Magi (source