Feast of the Circumcision of Christ

Called the Feast of the Circumcision of the Lord (Latin circumcisio Domini ), also circumcision feast (Latin Festum circumcisionis ), several Christian denominations commemorate the Circumcision of Jesus eight days after his birth. It is celebrated on 1 January, the Octave of Christmas.

Biblical report

That Jesus according to Jewish custom (Gen. 17:10-14 EU) was circumcised on the eighth day of life, says the Evangelist Luke in the second chapter. At the same time, and it is in Lk 2,21 EU weight was given him the name Jesus.

History of the festival

In dealing with the Docetists, who denied the incarnation, was circumcision as an argument that Jesus Christ is " true man and true God".

The Eastern Church knows this hard since the 4th century. From the 6th century, it is also detectable in Spain and Gaul ( Gallican liturgy). The acquisition Franco- German missals it came in the 11th century in the city of Roman liturgy and supplanted the old hard -natal sanctae Mariae.

Beginning of year

The now common beginning on January 1 was common in the Middle Ages only one among many. Medievalists therefore refer to him as " Zirkumzisionsstil ".

Presence

In the Anglican, Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox, and the Syro -Malabar Church of the circumcision and naming of Christ on January 1, still thought, as in some Old Catholic and Protestant Churches. The Roman Catholic Church celebrates the renewed since basic order of the liturgical year from 1969 January 1 as the Octave of Christmas and Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, the Gospel of the Day continues Luke 2:16-21 ( Jesus' circumcision ). In the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite the feast still exists today.