The season following Epiphany continues the theme established on Epiphany Day: the spread of the Good News of Christ from its source in the Jewish community to all nations on earth. Sunday readings of scripture explore the mission of the church in the world. The theme of this season (along with the sequence of readings from the Gospel) continues in the season after Pentecost, so both seasons together can be called the “Time of the Church.” Some church practices refer to the Time of the Church in Epiphany and Pentecost as “Ordinary Time” (from Latin ordos) meaning numbered. The traditional liturgical color for both seasons, Green, is the color of growth.

The word epiphany comes from the Greek noun epiphaneia, which means “shining forth,” “manifestation,” or “revelation.” In the ancient Greco-Roman world, an epiphany referred to the appearance of one of the gods to mortals. Since Hellenistic kings and Roman emperors were considered by many to be gods, the word epiphany was also used as a term for divine majesty. The Epiphany of our Lord is the Christian festival that celebrates the many ways through signs, miracles, and preaching that Jesus revealed Himself to the world as Christ, God Incarnate, and King of Kings.

Epiphany Day is the 6th of January, and on the following Sunday it is celebrated in our church.