Notre Dame de Rouen. The façade of the Gothic Church in France. Photographer: Hippo1947. Licence: SHUTTERSTOCK.

Thursday 8 January 2015

Dreikönigsfest. The Feast Of The Three Kings. Epiphany Water. Epiphany Chalk.



English: The Magi Journeying.
Français: Les rois mages en voyage.
Artist: James Tissot (1836–1902).
Date: Between 1886 and 1894.
Current location: Brooklyn Museum, United States.
Credit line: Purchased by public subscription.
Source/Photographer: Online Collection of Brooklyn Museum;
Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 2006, 00.159.30_PS1.jpg.
(Wikimedia Commons)


DREIKÖNIGSFEST.


The following Text is taken from ROMAN CHRISTENDOM

By long tradition, on The Feast of The Epiphany — called Dreikönigsfest (The Feast of The Three Kings) in the lands of the old Holy Roman Empire — the Rector of the Parish (or, in his absence, the father of each family) visits each house with a Cross-Bearer, two Acolytes and three children, dressed as The Kings, one bearing a Censer with lighted Incense.

At each house, a little Ceremony takes place; the house is Blessed with Epiphany Water, and, over the door lintel of the house, the following is inscribed with Blessed Chalk:

20 + C + M + B + 15

In my house, we always perform this traditional ceremony.

This symbolises the present year (2015) and The Blessing of The Three Magi (Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar) upon each home.

The symbols remain all year, or until the weather has washed them away.

2 comments:

  1. No laughing please ...but ... My eye was drawn to the red 20 + C + M + B + 15, and on the way there it passed over the word 'text' which my brain interpreted as 'test'. I went into calculating mode and was vaguely disappointed to find it wasn't a maths test. However, I was soon recompensed when I read what it was all about. I had never heard of this before and am really glad that I have!

    The image of the Virgin of the Roses, above, is breathtaking

    ReplyDelete
  2. Wonderful, John. Wonderful.

    Delighted you found it of interest, in addition to liking the image of The Virgin of The Roses.

    Now. Think of a number. Add half the number you first thought of . . .

    ReplyDelete

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