Saint Patrick’s Day has been impressed in the public consciousness as a day that evokes the imagery of leprechauns, rainbows with pots of gold at the end, and the shamrock. It is also known for traditions such as dressing in green, parades, and drinking a pint of Guinness. Yet with the commercialization of this holiday, … Continue reading The Feast Day of St. Patrick
This week begins the most solemn fast of the Christian liturgical calendar known throughout the world as Lent. Growing up in a non-liturgical tradition, I did not observe the Lenten season. It was not until I was older that I was exposed to the broader celebration of Lent. Even then, I didn’t observe it in … Continue reading What is Lent and Why it Matters?
February 24 marks the feast day of Saint Matthias the Apostle for Anglicans (his feast day is celebrated on May 14 in Roman Catholicism and on August 9 in Eastern Orthodoxy). Saint Matthias is unique in church history in that he is the first apostle admitted to the College of Apostles by election (casting lots) … Continue reading The Feast Day of St. Matthias the Apostle
The church calendar and secular society acknowledge February 14 as St. Valentine’s Day. Much of its historical origins are patchy. There are a few saints named Saint Valentine who lived in the Roman Empire during the third century A.D. and became martyrs. One Saint Valentine was imprisoned and martyred by Emperor Claudius II for rebelling … Continue reading The Feast Day of St. Valentine
Today is the Feast Day of the Confession of St. Peter the Apostle. Saint Peter was one of the first disciples Jesus Christ called to follow him (Matt. 4:18-20; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:1-11; John 1:40-42). He worked as a fisherman in the Sea of Galilee with his brother Andrew. Jesus called him to follow him … Continue reading The Feast Day of the Confession of St. Peter the Apostle
Growing up in a non-liturgical context, I had never heard of the Feast of the Holy Innocents. Even though there is a small reference to the event in the Gospels, the day serves as a reminder to us of God’s love and justice. The Feast Day of the Holy Innocents, commemorated on December 28th, honors the … Continue reading The Feast Day of The Holy Innocents
John the Apostle and Evangelist was one of the 12 disciples chosen by Jesus, and the brother of the Apostle James (we assume he was the younger brother due to him usually being referred to after James). We know from Matthew 4:21 and Mark 1:19-20 that John’s father was named Zebedee, and Matthew 27:56 identifies Salome as “mother … Continue reading The Feast Day of St. John the Evangelist
Today marks one of the highest feast days of the liturgical calendar. It is the day we set aside to celebrate the incarnation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Christmas day is celebrated so widely around the world that many non-Christians celebrate the holiday in some way. Likely you have been introduced to Christmas … Continue reading Christmas Day: The Feast of the Nativity
Advent is a season of waiting and anticipation. Specifically, it is a season of waiting for the birth of the Messiah, the Christmas Child Jesus. While this year’s Christmas is coming soon, and Jesus was already born over 2,000 years ago, we still wait. Only now, we are not waiting for Jesus’ birth, death, resurrection, … Continue reading The Feast Day of St. Thomas the Apostle
Today begins the addition of the O Antiphons to the liturgy of Advent. The O Antiphons, also known as the Great Advent Antiphons, are canticles (songs) used in traditional Christian worship during the last days of Advent, from December 16-23, leading up to the high feast day of Christmas. These antiphons are the basis for … Continue reading O Antiphons: Canticles of Advent
December 13 is traditionally celebrated on the Church calendar as the Feast Day of St. Lucy (Santa Lucia). Also known as Lucia of Syracuse (Italy), Lucy was a late third and early fourth century Roman Christian who was one of the first martyrs of the Diocletian persecution in 303 AD. She came from a wealthy … Continue reading The Feast Day of St. Lucy
December 6th is traditionally celebrated as the feast day of St. Nicholas of Myra. If you are wondering, yes it is that St. Nicholas. Not much is known about his life, and what is known may be more legend than reality. However, there is much that we can learn from and thank God for in … Continue reading The Feast Day of St. Nicholas
