topic Re: Happy Epiphany in Community Chat

Happy Epiphany

cherry — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 20:34:10 GMT

I've aways found the Magi fascinating. It's intriguing to me that they alone to the best of our knowledge found the Infant right under the nose of Herod and his astrologers.

There was a manuscript hidden in a dusty old tome in the Vatican Library Archives. You can read the story from the perspective of the Magi if you are interested

The book is called The Revelation of the Magi. It has been translated into English ,after laying hidden in the vaults for centuries. The credit for the find goes to Brent Landau.

Re: Happy Epiphany

Oznell — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 20:51:50 GMT

How interesting, cherry. I've always been fascinated by them too, their learning and their knowledge of astronomy, etc. Hubby was telling me the other day that since they were likely from an area at least in the orbit of Babylon/Persia, they may have known of, or had access to, some of the material that Daniel had back circa the 6th century B.C. So they may indeed have been watchful and looking for signs.

I love to speculate about the learned men of science and the philosphers of ancient times, and what they may or may not have known. Would love to talk to them, across time!

Re: Happy Epiphany

I am still oxox — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 20:53:42 GMT

Confused I thought that the Epiphanny is Jan 6,

Re: Happy Epiphany

cherry — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 20:55:25 GMT

It is, but the feast is always celebrated on the nearest Sunday @I am still oxox

Re: Happy Epiphany

cherry — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 20:57:12 GMT

Here is a link to the latest restorations in the Church of the Nativity

The murals are just stunning

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1&tbm=isch&q=pictures+of+the+church+of+the+nativity+restorations&chips=qictures+of+the+church+of+the+nativity+restorations,online_chips:inside&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiZl8Ll28bYAhXI5oMKHfUGA6gQ4lYIKigD&biw=1920&bih=897&dpr=1

Re: Happy Epiphany

I am still oxox — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 20:57:54 GMT

@cherry

Sorry to diagree it is Jan 6, which is ther 12 day of Chistmas

Celebrate Epiphany

January 6, which is 12 days after Christmas in the Gregorian calendar, marks not only the end of the Christmas holidays but also the start of the Carnival season, which climaxes with Mardi Gras. In some European countries, such as the Czech Republic and Slovakia, children dress as the three kings and visit houses. In their roles as the kings, or wise men, they sing about the Jesus’ birth and pay homage to the “king of kings”. They are rewarded with praise and cookies.

Re: Happy Epiphany

Noel7 — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 21:00:00 GMT

Hi @cherry

Do you commemorate the date with an actual feast?

I know this is an important date for you, blessings.

Re: Happy Epiphany

cherry — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 21:00:29 GMT

I am speaking of the celebration of the feast day at mass @I am still oxox

Re: Happy Epiphany

I am still oxox — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 21:01:36 GMT

@cherry

Thank you for the clarification, thought I might of missed something along the way.

@cherry wrote:
I am speaking of the celebration of the feast day at mass @I am still oxox

Re: Happy Epiphany

Noel7 — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 21:02:03 GMT

@I am still oxox wrote:
@cherry

Sorry to diagree it is Jan 6, which is ther 12 day of Chistmas
Celebrate Epiphany
January 6, which is 12 days after Christmas in the Gregorian calendar, marks not only the end of the Christmas holidays but also the start of the Carnival season, which climaxes with Mardi Gras. In some European countries, such as the Czech Republic and Slovakia, children dress as the three kings and visit houses. In their roles as the kings, or wise men, they sing about the Jesus’ birth and pay homage to the “king of kings”. They are rewarded with praise and cookies.

@I am still oxox

Cherry is correct:

"The feast of manifestation, or Epiphany, is traditionally celebrated the 12th day after Christmas, January 6th. In the dioceses of the United States this feast has been moved to the Sunday between January 2 and January 8."

http://www.catholicculture.org/culture//liturgicalyear/activities/view.cfm?id=442

Re: Happy Epiphany

cherry — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 21:03:02 GMT

A feast day is what the mass is called @Noel7, when mass is cele brated in the honor of certain individuals

The *feast* is the consuming of the Eucharist

Re: Happy Epiphany

Noel7 — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 21:03:42 GMT

@cherry wrote:
A feast day is what the mass is called @Noel7, when mass is cele brated in the honor of certain individuals

The *feast* is the consuming of the Eucharist

Thank you @cherry

Re: Happy Epiphany

cherry — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 21:06:23 GMT

The murals are magnificient. I think being hidden under all the grime ,and candle smoke ,might have helped preserve them

Re: Happy Epiphany

lovescats — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 21:07:58 GMT

I thought January 7th was Russian Christmas?

Re: Happy Epiphany

cherry — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 21:10:25 GMT

The Church of the Nativity is ancient. I once read there was a mosaic of the Magi on the front of the church many centuries ago

When the horde came to pillage, they saw the mosaic ,and out of respect for the Magi ,who were honored in their country ,the left the church alone.

This was many centuries ago

Re: Happy Epiphany

Noel7 — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 21:10:34 GMT

Sunday

January 7

Eastern Orthodox Christmas 2018 in Russia

Re: Happy Epiphany

cherry — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 21:13:30 GMT

The Russian's celebrate this day as Christmas, and so do some Catholics. It is also known to us as Little Christmas

We use a different Calendar, I think

Re: Happy Epiphany

cherry — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 21:18:20 GMT

The Epiphany, Three Kings Day and Little Christmas

Everyone knows that Christmas is celebrated on December 25th, but 12 days later, on January 6th, many Christians around the world enjoy a second Christmas celebration. Known by many names, including the Epiphany, Three Kings’ Day, Little Christmas or the 12th Day of Christmas, January 6th was first celebrated as a feast day in the 4th century to commemorate Jesus’ introduction in human form. Religious scholars explain that for many devout Christians, Christmas is a season rather than a day — with festivities beginning with the Advent and concluding with the Epiphany.

Among Orthodox or Eastern Christians, January 6th is known as the Epiphany, the day in which Jesus was baptized in the River Jordan. In Western Christianity, the day commemorates the visit by the Magi, or the Three Wisemen, to the baby Jesus. To learn more about how January 6th is celebrated around the world, read on.

Three King’s Day

In Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and much of Latin America, January 6th is celebrated as Three King’s Day, commemorating the visit by Melchor, Gaspar and Balthazar of the baby Jesus. In Northern Europe and Germany, Drie koningen features children caroling from door to door, dressed up as the Three Kings.

In Spain and Latin America, the day is known as El Dìa de los Reyes. Children leave out their shoes the night before, much like stockings are left out on Christmas Eve. Shoes are stuffed with straw or hay for the Kings’ camels; in its place, the Kings leave little ones small gifts and sweets.

Also traditional is preparing Rosca bread with a little trinket — sometimes a baby Jesus — baked inside. Whoever finds the prize is believed to be blessed with a fortunate year.

La Befana

In Italy, January 6th honors the legend of La Befana, who was asked to join the Three Kings on their journey. She declined, but always regretted her decision. Much like Santa Klaus, La Befana is believed to visit children on the eve of January 6th, bringing sweets and gifts to the well-behaved children — and a lump of coal for the naughty ones. Portrayed in popular mythology as an old woman riding a broomstick, La Befana enters a home just like Santa Kluas: through the chimney!

Little Christmas/Women’s Christmas

Before the widespread use of the Gregorian calendar, Christmas was actually celebrated on January 6th. Many countries, including Ireland, honor this original date by celebrating Little Christmas, known in Irish as Nollaig Bheag, on the 6th. The Irish also refer to the day as Women’s Christmas, a time when men traditionally take over the household duties, giving their wives a ‘day off’.

Twelfth Day of Christmas

The Twelve Days of Christmas are considered by many to be the days leading up to December 25th. Some religious historians, however, believe these days actually represent the time between December 25th and January 6th. The conclusion of those days is celebrated with a feast on the Eve of the Twelfth Night, as popularized in the Shakespeare play. In the U.K., the yule log is burned for all twelve nights following Christmas Eve, and then, on the 6th, the Christmas tree and other decorations are taken down. In fact, it is considered bad luck to leave up the tree past the Twelfth Day.

Re: Happy Epiphany

SahmIam — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 21:20:07 GMT

Happy Epiphany to you, Cherry and to everyone else that celebrates.

We had our dinner after Mass with the family and the decorations will come down starting tomorrow. My youngest was mentioning how wonderful it is that the Holiday goes from Thanksgiving to January 6th. He's right, it is wonderful as we spend so much time with friends and family and enjoy the special moments this time brings. He loves lighting the Advent candles and then the 3 Days of Christmas (how our family celebrates), New Years and then The Epiphany.

May everyone have a wonder 2018! : )

Re: Happy Epiphany

Noel7 — Sun, 07 Jan 2018 21:23:31 GMT

My mother was Roman Catholic and never took down the decorations until after January 6th.