Epiphany is a holiday commemorating the first manifestation of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, represented by the Magi, as well as Christ’s birth in Bethlehem, his baptism in the Jordan River, and the first miracle at Cana in Galilee. Epiphany is one of the three principal and oldest festival days of the Christian church, the other two being Easter and Christmas.
Epiphany originated from the earliest Church leaders and has a spiritual meaning. The Church Year begins at Advent. From then, through Pentecost, Christians concentrated on the life and work of Christ. For the rest of the year — Pentecost to Advent — the church year focuses on the teachings of Christ and their applications to the Christian life. The ultimate purpose of the church calendar ensured that Christians covered the entire breadth and depth of the Gospel in the course of a year. The six-month period from Advent to Pentecost covers all six major events: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost.
During the gospel procession, the Word is brought into the gathered community for proclamation, a reminder that the Word of God is among us and that we take it in, to be fed, nourished, and transformed by it.
At the time of communion, we gather around the altar as a sign of our unity. Those who need to remain seated are fully included and others stand, filling in spaces in the circle. There is room for all. After the prayers and consecration, the priest distributes the bread around the circle. To signal your desire to receive a blessing instead, you may cross your arms over your chest.