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The epiphany

Terrywoodenpic

Oldest Heretic
Today we celebrate the Ephiphany.
At least Anglicans and Orthodox do.
Other Churches like the Catholics celebrate it on the 3rd January. or other dates.
it celebrates the baptism of Jesus By John the baptist and the Visit of the Magi( some denominations)

Happy Epiphany
 

Onkara

Well-Known Member
Catholic Spain is embraced in Epiphany today. I am not sure if there was mass on the 3rd, but today is a bank holiday.

I would like to know if they were actually Kings or Wise men. It appears to be down to translation of the word "magi" or similar.
 

Terrywoodenpic

Oldest Heretic
Catholic Spain is embraced in Epiphany today. I am not sure if there was mass on the 3rd, but today is a bank holiday.

I would like to know if they were actually Kings or Wise men. It appears to be down to translation of the word "magi" or similar.

I remember when I lived in Madrid in the late 50's, "Kings" was the time people gave each other presents... not a christmas. I remember the Spanish Catholic Church was very much a Rule of its own, with many special traditions.

The eastern tradition is that the Magi were wise men, the western tradition is that they were Kings. Most people would not care to argue about it.
 

Onkara

Well-Known Member
Wow, so you were here in the late 50's! I imagine a lot has changed and I assume the rule of the Catholic Church is not as dominant as it was under General Franco. I hope I can learn more one day, personally I didn't know Anglicans practice Epiphany until your post.
 

Terrywoodenpic

Oldest Heretic
Wow, so you were here in the late 50's! I imagine a lot has changed and I assume the rule of the Catholic Church is not as dominant as it was under General Franco. I hope I can learn more one day, personally I didn't know Anglicans practice Epiphany until your post.

Spain was a very different place.

It was national socialist. But more socialist than fascist. The falangistas were few in number and any parades and meetings were some what secretive.
The Church rule applied everywhere. Males had to wrap towels around them selves at swimming baths, girls could not expose their arms and shoulders in the street, If parents did not attend mass their children could not attend school.

You could not resign your job with out permission of both your employer and the syndicato. Your employer had to pay for your medical and dental care.
What ever people say now, the people then were happy and no way downtrodden.
With the exception of ex communists, who could not get a job that put them in charge of any one else, and had numerous other restrictions. The civil war was still a recent memory for many.

The Civil guard and police were everywhere, My then girlfriends father was a chief of the secret police. Crime of any sort was very rare indeed.

Anglican practises are very little different to Catholic ones,though what they believe can be different.

The Anglicans only celebrate the Epiphany with a Mass ( communion) it is not a lay celebration. It is like an ordinary Saints day, not a holiday.
 

Onkara

Well-Known Member
Useful insight Terry, it sounds like a completely different place to live. :) I am surprised people could even have girlfriends/boyfriends, I assume you had to have a 3rd person present.
 

Terrywoodenpic

Oldest Heretic
Useful insight Terry, it sounds like a completely different place to live. :) I am surprised people could even have girlfriends/boyfriends, I assume you had to have a 3rd person present.

No need... There would be at least three pairs of eyes on you, and you did not even have keys to your own house. You had to shout down the road for the Sereno (night watchman) to come and open the door for you.

It was unusual for boys and girls to marry before tha age of 35 at that time.
 
Happy Epiphany... I don't celebrate the Epiphany anymore as I was a Catholic back then, but I DO leave my Christmas decorations until then, as the 'official' end to the Christmas season! :D
 

Terrywoodenpic

Oldest Heretic
Why were you in Spain, if that isn't too personal?

That age seems to still be the norm for marriage.:)

I had finished College (Photography); My girlfriend had been learning English as an au pair with a Catholic Family in St Johns wood, near where I was living. She had come to the end of her two year stay, so I Moved to Madrid.

As she knew the owner of the then Gallerias Preciados, I took up a position as senior photographer in their studio. It all ended some three years later as her father was very anti. he himself had a Canary Island English wife... but he never spoke to me.
Still it was Spain at an interesting time ... I lived in Gatzambede (spelling) Madrid.
I had to take out residency, a quite difficult process then, I have never had it rescinded. it still says I have unlimited entrance and exits. though that is meaningless for an EU member.
 

Onkara

Well-Known Member
Interesting. I have been told that generally people don't meet their partners parents until they are ready to marry, so perhaps that had something to do it with :)
 
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