Epiphany Celebration at Church of the Epiphany, social at Molly's Shebeen Pub

We'll cap the Christmas season with a celebration of the feast of the Epiphany at the New York Catholic Church named after this feast day.

The Epiphany of course commemorates the arrival of the Magi (or Three Kings, Wise Men, etc) to Jesus' manger, where they paid him homage and gave him gifts to recognize his kingship. From the Greek word for manifestation, the Epiphany marks the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles (represented by the Magi) and the revelation of Jesus as the Son of God.

Officially on January 6, the Epiphany is the 12th day of Christmas, last day of the Christmas season. This Saturday vigil Mass we'll also celebrate Epiphany Sunday.

As for the Church of the Epiphany (https://epiphanychurch.nyc/), the parish was founded in 1868 with the first church built on the site of Rose Hill, the Manhattan mansion of Revolutionary War General Horatio Gates, who won the pivotal Battle of Saratoga. That church stood until December 1963 when it was destroyed by fire. The new modernist Church of the Epiphany was dedicated by Cardinal Spellman in May 1967.

Epiphany was the first Church in NYC designed to reflect the major changes of 1962 Vatican II Council - namely the Altar was set forward, freestanding in the Sanctuary so the Priest faces the faithful as he celebrates the Eucharist. Also, Vatican II discontinued Altar rails.

The church is at the corner of 2nd Avenue and 22nd Street. Social to follow nearby at Molly's Shebeen Pub, 3rd Avenue and 22nd Street. Established as a Bar in 1895, converted to a grocery store only for the Prohibition years, Molly's is on lists of best authentic NYC Irish Pubs. And is a favorite of Jimmy Fallon!

Please RSVP here to reserve your seat at our table.

Let's get the new year off to a good start. See you there!

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