Epiphany

Epiphany is a Christian feast day which celebrates the revelation of God in human form in the person of Jesus Christ. Epiphany falls on January 6.

Epiphany meaning “revelation” is connected with the biblical story that tells of the Magi or Three Kings – Caspar (or Kaspar or Gaspar), Melchior and Balthasar – who saw a bright star on the night Christ was born and followed it to Bethlehem. There they found the Christ child and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The legendary visit would later give rise to the custom of gift giving at Christmas on the Feast of the Epiphany.

In England, Epiphany or “Twelfth Night” was the last opportunity to make merry before a return to the usual toil of the workaday world (Christmas was celebrated for 12 days and on this last day the Christmas tree and all the decorations would traditionally be taken down). The traditional Yule log^* was also kept lit until Twelfth Night in order to bring blessings and good fortune throughout the upcoming year.

Shrove Tuesday

The name Shrove comes from the old word “shrive” which means to confess. On Shrove Tuesday, in the Middle Ages, people used to confess their sins so that they were forgiven before the season of Lent began.

Shrove Tuesday is a day of celebration as well as penitence, because it’s the last day before Lent. Lent is a time of abstinence, of giving things up. So Shrove Tuesday is the last chance to indulge yourself, and to use up the foods that aren’t allowed in Lent. Shrove Tuesday always falls 47 days before Easter Sunday, so the date varies from year to year and falls between 3 February and 9 March.

In the UK, Shrove Tuesday is also known as Pancake Day (or Pancake Tuesday to some people) because it is the one day of the year when almost everyone eats a pancake. Pancakes are eaten on this day because they contain fat, butter and eggs which are forbidden during Lent.

Every year on Shrove Tuesday there are Shrove Tuesday Pancake Races throughout the UK. The UK version of pre-Lent gluttony is a curious tradition, but a fun one nonetheless. Shrove Tuesday Pancake Races are held throughout London and other UK cities, and usually follow a basic formula: teams of four people (sometimes dressed in funny costumes) race with a skillet holding a pancake, flipping the pancake in mid-race. Crowds of people line the streets to cheer on their favorite teams or just to enjoy the spectacle.

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday – also called Holy Thursday is the feast or holy day on the Thursday before Easter that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles^*. Maundy Thursday is the day before Good Friday. It is one of the lesser known days of the Christian calendar.

The name “Maundy” is derived from the Latin word “mandatum”, meaning a commandment. Jesus Christ, at the Last Supper, commanded: “And now I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.’ John 15:12.

Major traditions:

The washing of feet. During the Last Supper, Jesus washed his disciples’ feet. This act has sometimes been followed literally in history as a good way of reminding rulers that they are here to serve their subjects.

In England, the custom of washing feet by the Monarch was carried out until 1689. Up until then the King or Queen would wash the feet of the poor on Maundy Thursday in Westminster Abbey. (One should, however, note that the feet were first washed by Yeoman of the Laundry before the monarch had to wash them and kiss them!). Food and clothing were also handed out to the poor.

Maundy Thursday ceremony. In England today, the Queen follows a very traditional role of giving Maundy Money to a group of pensioners. The tradition of the Sovereign giving money to the poor dates from the 13^th century, from the reign of Edward I.

At one time recipients were required to be of the same sex as the Sovereign, but since the eighteenth century they have numbered as many men and women as the Sovereign has years of age.

Every year on this day, the Queen attends a Royal Maundy service in one of the many cathedrals throughout the country. “Maundy money” is distributed to male and female pensioners from local communities near the Cathedral where the Service takes place. From the fifteenth century, the amount of Maundy Money handed out equaled the age of the monarch. Maundy coins are specially minted for the occasion and are legal tender and, as they are produced in such limited numbers, they are much sought after by collectors. Yeomen of the Guards carry the Maundy Money in white and red leather purses on golden alms trays on their heads.

The men and women who receive the coins are all retired pensioners recommended by clergy and ministers of all denominations, in recognition of service to the Church and to the community.