| St. Peter's by-the-Sea |
| Special Days |
Ash Wednesday: Ash Wednesday, the first of the forty days of Lent, named for the custom of
placing blessed ashes on the foreheads of worshipers at Ash Wednesday services. Ash
Wednesday is observed as a fast in the church year of the Episcopal Church. The Ash
Wednesday service is one of the Proper Liturgies for Special Days in the BCP (p. 264). Ashes are
blessed for use on Ash Wednesday as a sign of penitence and a reminder of mortality. The Old
Testament frequently mentions the use of ashes as an expression of humiliation and sorrow.
Ashes for use on Ash Wednesday are made from burned palms from previous Palm Sunday
services. Ashes are imposed on the penitent's forehead with the words, "Remember that you are
dust, and to dust you shall return" (Book of Common Prayer, p. 265). Imposition of ashes at the
Ash Wednesday service is optional.
placing blessed ashes on the foreheads of worshipers at Ash Wednesday services. Ash
Wednesday is observed as a fast in the church year of the Episcopal Church. The Ash
Wednesday service is one of the Proper Liturgies for Special Days in the BCP (p. 264). Ashes are
blessed for use on Ash Wednesday as a sign of penitence and a reminder of mortality. The Old
Testament frequently mentions the use of ashes as an expression of humiliation and sorrow.
Ashes for use on Ash Wednesday are made from burned palms from previous Palm Sunday
services. Ashes are imposed on the penitent's forehead with the words, "Remember that you are
dust, and to dust you shall return" (Book of Common Prayer, p. 265). Imposition of ashes at the
Ash Wednesday service is optional.
Good Friday occurs between March 20 and April 23 on the Friday before Easter. It
commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. There are few explanations as to why the holiday is
known as "Good" Friday since it commemorates a sorrowful time in Christianity. Some scholars
believe that "good" is a corruption of the word "God's" while others speculate that "good" was
used to denote "holy". In Eastern Orthodox churches, the observance is known as Great Friday.
Good Friday has been observed since about 100 C. E. However, for many years it had no
association with Jesus' death but was simply another day of fasting. Since the late fourth century,
it has been associated with the crucifixion.
commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. There are few explanations as to why the holiday is
known as "Good" Friday since it commemorates a sorrowful time in Christianity. Some scholars
believe that "good" is a corruption of the word "God's" while others speculate that "good" was
used to denote "holy". In Eastern Orthodox churches, the observance is known as Great Friday.
Good Friday has been observed since about 100 C. E. However, for many years it had no
association with Jesus' death but was simply another day of fasting. Since the late fourth century,
it has been associated with the crucifixion.
Palm Sunday occurs on the Sunday before Easter Sunday in the Western Christian liturgical
calendar. It signals the upcoming end of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week. The day
commemorates the spreading of palms and clothing in Jesus' path as He entered Jerusalem prior
to His crucifixion:
They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A
very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and
spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
"Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the
highest!" (Matthew 21:7-9)
Many churches re-enact Jesus' return to Jerusalem with a processional in which participants
wave palm branches. In areas where palm trees are unavailable, branches of the pussy willow,
yew, and spruce trees are often used.
calendar. It signals the upcoming end of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week. The day
commemorates the spreading of palms and clothing in Jesus' path as He entered Jerusalem prior
to His crucifixion:
They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A
very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and
spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
"Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the
highest!" (Matthew 21:7-9)
Many churches re-enact Jesus' return to Jerusalem with a processional in which participants
wave palm branches. In areas where palm trees are unavailable, branches of the pussy willow,
yew, and spruce trees are often used.
Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, the most joyous occasion in Christianity. It also
marks the end of Lent. The date of Easter varies each year but always falls between March 22
and April 25. The date is set by determining the Sunday following the full moon on or after the
vernal equinox.
According to the Gospel of St. John and other scriptures, Mary Magdalen arrived at Jesus' tomb
only to find it empty. An angel told her that Jesus had risen and ascended into heaven.
Many churches hold sunrise services on Easter Sunday to symbolize the return of light to the
world after Jesus' resurrection. The day is observed with feasts and celebrations.
marks the end of Lent. The date of Easter varies each year but always falls between March 22
and April 25. The date is set by determining the Sunday following the full moon on or after the
vernal equinox.
According to the Gospel of St. John and other scriptures, Mary Magdalen arrived at Jesus' tomb
only to find it empty. An angel told her that Jesus had risen and ascended into heaven.
Many churches hold sunrise services on Easter Sunday to symbolize the return of light to the
world after Jesus' resurrection. The day is observed with feasts and celebrations.
This day, Maundy Thursday (also "Holy Thursday" or "Shire Thursday") commemorates Christ's
Last Supper and the initiation of the Eucharist. Its name of "Maundy" comes from the Latin word
mandatum, meaning "command." This stems from Christ's words in John 13:34, "A new
commandment I give unto you." It is the first of the three days known as the "Triduum," and after
the Vigil tonight, and until the Vigil of Easter, a more profoundly somber attitude prevails (most
especially during the hours between Noon and 3:00 PM on Good Friday). Raucous amusements
should be set aside...
The Last Supper took place in "the upper room" of the house believed to have been owned by
John Mark and his mother, Mary (Acts 12:12). This room, also the site of the Pentecost, is known
as the "Coenaculum" or the "Cenacle" and is referred to as "Holy and glorious Sion, mother of all
churches" in St. James' Liturgy. At the site of this place -- our first Christian church -- a basilica
was built in the 4th century. It was destroyed by Muslims and later re-built by the Crusaders.
Underneath the place is the tomb of David.
Last Supper and the initiation of the Eucharist. Its name of "Maundy" comes from the Latin word
mandatum, meaning "command." This stems from Christ's words in John 13:34, "A new
commandment I give unto you." It is the first of the three days known as the "Triduum," and after
the Vigil tonight, and until the Vigil of Easter, a more profoundly somber attitude prevails (most
especially during the hours between Noon and 3:00 PM on Good Friday). Raucous amusements
should be set aside...
The Last Supper took place in "the upper room" of the house believed to have been owned by
John Mark and his mother, Mary (Acts 12:12). This room, also the site of the Pentecost, is known
as the "Coenaculum" or the "Cenacle" and is referred to as "Holy and glorious Sion, mother of all
churches" in St. James' Liturgy. At the site of this place -- our first Christian church -- a basilica
was built in the 4th century. It was destroyed by Muslims and later re-built by the Crusaders.
Underneath the place is the tomb of David.
The Great Vigil of Easter: Like the children of Israel who watched and waited through the
night for the Lord of the Exodus, we too come together this night to watch and wait for the Lord
of the Resurrection. We come, as Christians have come since the first century, to keep vigil and
to prepare ourselves for the arrival of the news of Resurrection.
First, we must break the darkness of the night. Our light will be a very special light, for it is the
light of Christ which burns atop the Paschal candle and which dispels the darkness -- of night, of
sin, of death. Our light will be a constant reminder of the Easter victory during the coming
season, at every baptism and at every funeral. But for now, it will burn in vigil as we await the
Bridegroom.
When we have settled into our pews for the watch, we hear the storytellers among us sharing the
stories of our faith -- the stories of God's salvation history and the covenants which he made with
our people. These are our "family" stories. We listen. We sing. We watch. And we wait for the
feast to come.
After hearing our stories, we make our last minute preparations to meet our Lord. All must be
right for the feast. Those among us who have not yet joined us are brought into membership with
us this night, making all who are here part of the family of which God the Father, Son and Holy
Spriti is the head. And so that the whole family is prepared, each of us renews our baptismal
vows. As the water touches us, we hear and we feel that grace which was given to us through
our baptism.
We are nearly ready. The time is close. Quickly we prepare the room and set the table. Flowers
and banners must adorn the space, for it will be a feast to remember.
And then at last He comes! The Easter victory is won! Our Lord has risen! This is the feast of
victory!
night for the Lord of the Exodus, we too come together this night to watch and wait for the Lord
of the Resurrection. We come, as Christians have come since the first century, to keep vigil and
to prepare ourselves for the arrival of the news of Resurrection.
First, we must break the darkness of the night. Our light will be a very special light, for it is the
light of Christ which burns atop the Paschal candle and which dispels the darkness -- of night, of
sin, of death. Our light will be a constant reminder of the Easter victory during the coming
season, at every baptism and at every funeral. But for now, it will burn in vigil as we await the
Bridegroom.
When we have settled into our pews for the watch, we hear the storytellers among us sharing the
stories of our faith -- the stories of God's salvation history and the covenants which he made with
our people. These are our "family" stories. We listen. We sing. We watch. And we wait for the
feast to come.
After hearing our stories, we make our last minute preparations to meet our Lord. All must be
right for the feast. Those among us who have not yet joined us are brought into membership with
us this night, making all who are here part of the family of which God the Father, Son and Holy
Spriti is the head. And so that the whole family is prepared, each of us renews our baptismal
vows. As the water touches us, we hear and we feel that grace which was given to us through
our baptism.
We are nearly ready. The time is close. Quickly we prepare the room and set the table. Flowers
and banners must adorn the space, for it will be a feast to remember.
And then at last He comes! The Easter victory is won! Our Lord has risen! This is the feast of
victory!
Pentecost: The term means "the fiftieth day." It is used in both the Old Testament and the New
Testament. In the Old Testament it refers to a feast of seven weeks known as the Feast of
Weeks. It was apparently an agricultural event that focused on the harvesting of first fruits.
Josephus referred to Pentecost as the fiftieth day after the first day of Passover.
The term is used in the New Testament to refer to the coming of the Spirit on the day of
Pentecost (Acts 2:1), shortly after Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension. Christians came to
understand the meaning of Pentecost in terms of the gift of the Spirit. The Pentecost event was
the fulfillment of a promise which Jesus gave concerning the return of the Holy Spirit. The
speaking in tongues, which was a major effect of having received the Spirit, is interpreted by
some to symbolize the church's worldwide preaching.
In the Christian tradition, Pentecost is now the seventh Sunday after Easter. It emphasizes that
the church is understood as the body of Christ which is drawn together and given life by the Holy
Spirit. Some understand Pentecost to be the origin and sending out of the church into the world.
The Day of Pentecost is one of the seven principal feasts of the church year in the Episcopal
Church.
Testament. In the Old Testament it refers to a feast of seven weeks known as the Feast of
Weeks. It was apparently an agricultural event that focused on the harvesting of first fruits.
Josephus referred to Pentecost as the fiftieth day after the first day of Passover.
The term is used in the New Testament to refer to the coming of the Spirit on the day of
Pentecost (Acts 2:1), shortly after Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension. Christians came to
understand the meaning of Pentecost in terms of the gift of the Spirit. The Pentecost event was
the fulfillment of a promise which Jesus gave concerning the return of the Holy Spirit. The
speaking in tongues, which was a major effect of having received the Spirit, is interpreted by
some to symbolize the church's worldwide preaching.
In the Christian tradition, Pentecost is now the seventh Sunday after Easter. It emphasizes that
the church is understood as the body of Christ which is drawn together and given life by the Holy
Spirit. Some understand Pentecost to be the origin and sending out of the church into the world.
The Day of Pentecost is one of the seven principal feasts of the church year in the Episcopal
Church.