The Feast of the Epiphany celebrates the manifestation of the Christ to the Gentiles when the Magi came to worship Him. Thus it is customary during the proclaimation of the Holy Gospel, when the words "fell down and worshipped Him" are read, a genuflection or a deep bow may be made.
The Christmas Season ends with the celebration of the Epiphany on January 6. The First Sunday in Advent is fixed in reference to St. Andrew's Day (Nov. 30). It is the Sunday nearest to November 30, whether before or after. After Epiphany, however, the remainder of the Church Year is determined by the movable date of Easter. For this reason the Season of Epiphany may contain from one to six Sundays. The Feast of the Transfiguration is [usually] celebrated on the Last Sunday after the Epiphany. An exception is made when there is only one Sunday after Epiphany. [In the Western Rite, the traditional date for the celebration of the Transfiguration is August 6.]
Therefore, because the remainder of the Church Year is established by the movable date of Easter, is the custom to announce the Movable Feasts after the proclamation of the Holy Gospel on the Epiphany. Paul H. D. Lang, (Ceremony and Celebration, p. 159, Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO, 1965) suggests the following form:
After the reading of the Gospel, the traditional announcements of the movable holy days of the church year may be made in the following form:
"Dearly beloved brethren, ye shall know that as we have rejoiced in the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, so there is announced to you by the mercy of God the joyous observance of the Resurrection of the same our Savior:
____________ is Septuagesima Sunday.
On ____________ Ash Wednesday begins the most holy season of Lent.
On ____________ we shall celebrate with great rejoicing the holy Easter Festival of our Lord Jesus Christ.
____________ is the Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
____________ is the Feast of Pentecost.
____________ is the First Sunday in the Advent of Our Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom be honor and glory, world without end. Amen."
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