Senate Resolution No. 1462 BY: Senator PARKER CELEBRATING the Feast of Epiphany, Three Kings' Day, on January 6, 2022 WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to celebrate the Feast of Epiphany, Three Kings' Day, on January 6, 2022; and WHEREAS, Epiphany, or the Feast of Epiphany, most commonly known as Three Kings' Day, happens twelve days after Christmas, on January 6th; it is a Catholic observance and a day for commemorating the visit the Three Wise Men paid to Baby Jesus; and WHEREAS, The day of Epiphany is a Feast Day, and it marks the beginning of the Epiphanytide, a catholic season that lasts from this day until Ash Wednesday; it is also the end of the 12 Days of Christmas, a period which begins on Christmas Day and ends on the Epiphany; the days symbolize Jesus Christ's birth and the manifestation of his divinity, respectively; and WHEREAS, The word Epiphany comes from the Greek and means manifestation; in religious terms, a manifestation is the appearance of an invisible being in their visible form; and WHEREAS, On the day of Epiphany, people celebrate not only the visit of the Three Kings but also the time when Jesus was baptized and began spreading and teaching the Word about his father, God; these are the two times when Catholics believe Christ's importance and divinity were manifested; and WHEREAS, Originating in the 2nd century, Epiphany is one of the oldest known Christian celebrations; its history is written in the Bible in the book of Matthew, where he writes about the Wise Men who followed a star in the East for twelve days in the desert to Bethlehem, to visit baby Jesus who they believed to be the King of Jews; and WHEREAS, The day of Epiphany was usually when Eastern Churches would celebrate Jesus's birthday, however, this was changed in the 4th century AD to December 25th, and Epiphany was set to January 6th, as they still are today; and WHEREAS, As a holiday that is celebrated around the World, there are quite a few different Epiphany traditions; in America, most people stick to celebrating Epiphany by attending church service, where the sermon is focused on Jesus's baptism and the revelation of his holiness; and WHEREAS, In some countries, such as Spain and Italy, January 6th is the day when children receive their Christmas gifts, as it was the day when Jesus received his gifts; many countries also have their version of the traditional King Cake; and WHEREAS, Finally, January 6th is commonly the day when people take down their Christmas trees, as it marks the official end of the Holidays season; and WHEREAS, It is fitting and proper to give thanks to God by observing the Feast of Epiphany in New York State on January 6, 2022, when all may acknowledge our blessings and express gratitude for them, while recognizing the need for strengthening religious and moral values in our State and nation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to celebrate the Feast of Epiphany, Three Kings' Day, on January 6, 2022.