Holy Name and Epiphany

 

         Annually on January 1st the Church celebrates The Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ and on January 6th The Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Holy Name Day honors the name given to Jesus (in Hebrew, "Joshua") meaning, "savior," "Yahweh is salvation," or "Yahweh will save." The word "Epiphany" literally means "manifestation" or "appearing" and celebrates the manifestation of the saving Messiah to all humanity rather than to just one people. In Eastern Orthodox Churches the Feast of the Epiphany, rather than Christmas, is observed as the primary Feast of the Incarnation. In the Western Church, Epiphany marks the twelfth day of Christmas.