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The Feast of the Epiphany | |
“…wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is this child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.” (Matthew 2:1-2)
On this Eve of the Epiphany of Our Lord, we celebrate the arrival of the wise men at the manger. Today is the last day of the 12 days of Christmas, and tomorrow, January 6th, around the world and across many denominations of Christianity, is set aside as a holy day, the day which marks the discovery of the place of the manger by humanity – specifically by the "wise men" as holy scripture recounts – but also by all of humankind.
The Three Wise Men, the Three Kings, the Magi – all used interchangeably in many parts of the world and in many Christian traditions. But who were the "wise men" exactly, and what do they represent for us as people and as followers of Jesus Christ? The word in the original Greek of Matthew’s Gospel is “magoi” – the Magi, astrologers following the star, men of great knowledge from ancient Persia – and the King James translation as well as our current, modern English translation give us “wise men.”
|  | Adoration of the Magi, a Beuronese painting at Conception Abbey | |
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Interestingly, the Three Kings are not mentioned anywhere in the Gospels – they come explicitly from Old Testament references, one of which we read in the book of the prophet Isaiah: ”Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” So the Wise Men, the Kings, the Magi, all refer to the same: distinguished guests, led by a star, bringing the finest of gifts, whose arrival at the manger we celebrate on the Feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord.
One of my very best friends lives in Madrid, and Spain is a country where the Feast of the Epiphany has become an extremely important religious and secular holiday over the centuries, perhaps even more important than Christmas for many Spaniards, especially for Spanish children. In Spain and in most of Latin America, Epiphany is commonly known as El Día de los Reyes – the Day of the Kings, and children, just like the Christ child in the biblical account, receive gifts from the Three Kings on this day. In Spain, as well as in many other Spanish-speaking countries, on the night of January 5th children leave out their shoes containing a letter for the Kings, sometimes with water and straw for the camels. And on the morning of January 6th, the children awaken to find gifts that have been left for them by the Kings.
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The Three Kings are very important figures in the story, but our focus of the Epiphany remains singular and immovable - the star, fixed on the Christ child, who is the Savior of the world. In the middle of the chaos of a hurting world, the light came down from heaven and shone brightly.
Frank Thomas, Professor of Homiletics at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, writes this: “The star is a symbol of our need for divine revelation to see the Messiah and King. Without divine revelation, we would miss the Messiah. Because we are almost blinded by the culture of Christmas, the star is a sign, a wonder, a revelation, a guidepost, a traffic light, a tracking device, a GPS, that brings us to the point and place of divine revelation about the Messiah. For the real meaning of Christmas, we must follow the star. Let us follow the star.”
At Trinity Cathedral we will celebrate the Feast of the Epiphany this coming Sunday at all three worship services: 8:00, 10:00, and 12:15. May we, too, follow the star, leading us to the love and hope and peace of the Christ child. Let us follow the star!
Epiphany blessings,
Father Jason
The Very Reverend Jason Roberson
Cathedral Provost
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Chalking the Door: An Epiphany Tradition | |
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"Chalking the Door" at Epiphany is tradition that originated in medieval Europe as a way of marking one's home to ask for God's blessing on all who live and work there. Letters symbolize the names of the Three Kings (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar), and numbers represent the current year.
Participate in this fun and historic tradition in your own home! You can find detailed instructions and a "Chalking the Door" liturgy from Virginia Theological Seminary and BuildingFaith.Org HERE.
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Diocesan Epiphany Celebration
Join with congregations from across our diocese to celebrate Three Kings Day.
Saturday, January 6th at 11:00 a.m.
Saint John’s Episcopal Church
145 NE 10th Street, Homestead, FL 33030
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Historic Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
As we move into this important and exciting 2024-25 Centennial Anniversary year of the Cathedral building, we are excited to begin sharing some historic pictures of Trinity Cathedral!
The pictures below are from the late 1960s, before Trinity Episcopal Church became the Cathedral of our diocese in 1970. In the first picture, looking north from 15th Street, notice the newly constructed parish hall, built in 1966.
Many thanks to parishioner Robert Horton for sharing these amazing images!
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There is still time to submit your pledge for 2024!
The 2024 Budget will be presented at the Cathedral Annual Meeting on January 21st. We need your pledge as we prepare the budget for next year!
Download the 2024 Pledge Form HERE.
Download the 2024 Stewardship Brochure HERE.
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Sunday
8 am Holy Eucharist
10 am Choral Eucharist
12:15 pm Santa Eucaristía
Monday
6:15 pm Yoga in the Cathedral
Wednesday
12:10 pm Bilingual Holy Eucharist
Saturday
8:30 am Second Saturday Walking & Biking
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Save the Date!
Please make sure to attend the Cathedral's Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 21st at 11:15 a.m.
Agenda items: Election of new Chapter members, Trinity Block Redevelopment, Transforming Trinity Project, Centennial Anniversary plans, and more.
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American Guild of Organists - Miami Chapter
Hymn Festival with Dr. David Hurd
Sunday, January 21st at 5:30 pm
The Miami Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and Trinity Cathedral have the distinguished honor of hosting Professor David Hurd on January 21st. Dr. Hurd was Professor of Church Music at the General Theological Seminary from 1976 until 2016, and he currently serves as the Organist and Music Director of the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin in New York City.
You won't want to miss this exciting opportunity!
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If you would like to include someone on the Prayer List or add an anniversary or birthday for special prayers, please call the Cathedral office at 305-456-8851, use the 'Contact Us' link on our website, or send an email ...
office@trinitymiami.org
Also, please let us know when names can be removed from the list.
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Sick - In Recovery
Doris Gray, Julio Rodriguez, Les Tablada, Esteban Rodriguez, Andye Moss, Anita Damnavits, Albert Halverstadt, Robert Horton, Dr. Joe Walker, Santiago Hernandez, Melba D. León, L.S., The Reverend Steve Fregeau, Mike Guidry, The Most Reverend Michael Curry, Santi Archer, Iván Quiñones, Dolores Triana, Carole Halverstadt
Anglican Cycle of Prayer
The Scottish Episcopal Church
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Birthdays
Irene Canizares
Sylvia Worrell
Roberto Pereira
Jeanne Merritt
Jeremiah Jenner
Anniversaries
In Memoriam
Daphne Pullan
Yolanda De Suarez
Carlos Suarez
Rosalie Astwood
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Yoga in the Cathedral - Jan. 8, 15, 22 and 28 | |
Immerse yourself in a truly rejuvenating and spiritual experience. All levels welcome! $20 (including mats and parking). Entry at the North Door (16th Street). To assure a prompt start, if at all possible please do sign up beforehand using this link. | |
Second Saturday - January 13th | |
Altar Flowers & Sanctuary Candle | |
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It is the tradition each week at Trinity Cathedral for individuals and families to make a donation for the altar flowers and the sanctuary candle in honor of or in memory of a family member, friend, or a specific cathedral ministry or organization. Names for the donations are listed in the Friday e-Newsletter and in the Sunday service bulletin.
Please email the Cathedral office at office@trinitymiami.org or call (305) 456-8851 to make your donations to this important ministry.
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Food Pantry Ministry
These are difficult times and many struggle to make ends meet. When you come on Sundays, please consider bringing one or more items of canned or boxed food. Items to consider include canned goods, peanut butter, packaged cereals, paper products, bottled water, dish and laundry soaps, boxed dinners, toiletry items, and feminine hygiene products. Remember that we cannot accept expired food or items that need refrigeration.
Gift Card Ministry
The LGBTQ+ ministry has organized an on-going Gift Card collection drive to aid in the purchase of perishable food items for food pantry recipients. These cards are distributed on a weekly basis to families and individuals in need. To continue to help this cause or if you or someone you know could benefit from this ministry, please contact Roberto Soto at:
Trinity Cathedral, c/o Roberto Soto
464 N.E. 16th Street, Miami, FL 33132
(305) 456-8851 or via email roberto@trinitymiami.org
Names of donors and recipients will remain confidential
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"Pews to Chairs" Project
There is still time to donate a chair!
For many decades now, pews have been replaced by chairs in countless cathedrals and churches across the Episcopal Church and the world with remarkable success. In many cases, it has allowed congregations to experience a transformation and rebirth of their communities. Stackable, multi-use chairs will give Trinity a fully flexible and multi-purpose space that functions not only for worship, but for a variety of ministry and community events. (See the above picture of Trinity's new cathedral chairs which arrived the week before Christmas.)
The success of Transforming Trinity and the Pews to Chairs project depends on the donation of chairs by cathedral parishioners, congregations, and individuals across The Episcopal Church in Southeast Florida and the wider Church. Chairs may be donated in honor of or in memory of a loved one or in honor of a specific church, congregation, or organization. Please consider donating one or more chairs!
To donate: Please download the chair donation form HERE, complete it, and make your check payable to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. Please make sure to write “Pews to Chairs” in the memo line. Mail checks and forms to: Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 464 NE 16th Street, Miami, FL 33132.
Online donations can also be made on the Cathedral website (www.trinitymiami.org) under the “Giving” tab – please be sure to choose the “Pews to Chairs Campaign” on the dropdown menu to designate your donation.
Please reach out to Father Jason by email at frjason@trinitymiami.org if you have any questions or concerns. You can also find more details about the Pews to Chairs project HERE.
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We need Ushers and Lectors!
We you like to be an usher on Sunday mornings?
Would you like to read a scripture lesson or lead the Prayers of the People during our Sunday services?
Please consider joining our Usher or Lector Ministries. We need volunteers to help fill these important roles during our Sunday worship.
If you are interested, please email Mr. Thomas Porto at thomas44a@gmail.com, or call the Cathedral office at 305-456-8851.
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Join the Cathedral Flower Guild!
Do you love arranging flowers? Please consider joining the Cathedral Flower Guild. We need volunteers to help on Saturday mornings to arrange flowers for our Sunday worship services.
If you are interested, please reach out to Mr. Roberto Soto at office@trinitymiami.org, or call the Cathedral office at 305-456-8851.
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Morning and Evening Online Reflection | |
Begin and end your weekday with online reflections. Reflections feature prayers, readings from Holy Scripture, and contemplative music and are led by clergy from National Cathedral in the morning and from Canterbury Cathedral in the evening. In addition, daily Choral Evensong song by the Canterbury Cathedral Choir is available online. Select the applicable link below for access. | | |
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What does it mean to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness? How is holiness beautiful?
Bible Study in full...
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“In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased’” (Mark 1:9-11).
Bulletin Insert in full...
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Trinity in Pictures
Manger Animals Petting Zoo
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Cathedral Office Hours
Monday – Thursday 9:00am until 3:00pm
In case of pastoral emergency, please call 786-682-5354.
Email: office@trinitymiami.org
Cathedral Visits
The Cathedral doors are open Monday - Friday from 9:00 - 1:00 for visits and for prayer.
Visit us at trinitymiami.org
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