Religion:Epiphany proclamation

The Epiphany proclamation is a summary of liturgical dates announced (sometimes sung) annually by a priest, deacon, or other Christian minister on the Feast of Epiphany, the celebration of the manifestation of Jesus Christ to the nations. The announcement of the date of Easter is an ancient practice, with a fuller list of dates prescribed in the modern Roman Missal.

The practice is found principally in the Roman Catholic Church, but is also observed in some parishes of other Western rite denominations, including the Anglican Communion and Lutheran churches.

Ancient practice

According to ancient custom, the priest announced the date of Easter on the feast of Epiphany. This tradition dated from a time when calendars were not readily available, and the church needed to publicise the date of Easter, since many celebrations of the liturgical year depend on it.

Contemporary use

According to the Roman Missal, the proclamation may be sung or proclaimed at the ambo by a priest, deacon, cantor, or reader, either after the reading of the Gospel or after the postcommunion prayer.

The Missal provides a formula with appropriate chant (in the same tone as the Exsultet) for proclaiming on Epiphany, wherever it is customary to do so, the dates in the calendar for the celebration of Ash Wednesday, Easter Sunday, Ascension Day, Pentecost, Corpus Christi, and the Advent Sunday, that will mark the following liturgical year.

A number of liturgical resource websites provide the full text, with specific dates inserted, annually. Similar resources are provided directly to the clergy by the Bishops in many nations or regions, as the proclamation "still has value. It is a reminder of the centrality of the resurrection of the Lord in the liturgical year".

In many parts of the world the Epiphany proclamation fell into disuse during the latter twentieth century, but some sources suggest a notable revival of its use in the early years of the twenty-first century.