Spiritual and religiousNorth AmericaChristian
Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus
A Christian observance honoring the name of Jesus, celebrated on various dates across different traditions.
Christians around the world mark this feast to honor the sacred name of Jesus. The date varies by denomination, falling on January 1st for many Protestants and Eastern churches, or January 3rd in the modern Roman Catholic calendar. It has roots in medieval liturgy and was formally established in the Catholic calendar in the sixteenth century.
When is Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus kept?
Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus is kept on various dates depending on the denomination, primarily in early January.
This feast honors the divine name of Jesus within Christian worship. Different branches of Christianity observe it on varying days throughout the year. Many celebrate it on New Year's Day alongside the circumcision of Christ. Others keep it in early January or on specific Sundays. The tradition reflects a deep reverence for the identity of Jesus as revealed in scripture.
Origins and history
Local celebrations began in the late fifteenth century. Pope Sixtus IV approved an office and mass for the occasion. In 1530, the Franciscans received official permission to observe it. Other orders like the Carmelites and Dominicans adopted similar dates. By 1721, Pope Innocent XIII placed it in the general calendar. Later reforms moved the date several times. A 1969 revision removed it from the main calendar but kept votive masses. It returned to the general calendar in 2002 with new texts.
How it is kept
Catholics following the modern rite celebrate on January 3 as an optional memorial. Those using the older 1962 calendar observe it on January 2. The Jesuits mark it as their titular solemnity. Many Catholics dedicate the whole month of January to this devotion. Lutheran and Anglican groups often combine it with the Feast of the Circumcision on January 1. Some Anglican provinces historically used August 7. Eastern Churches typically observe it on New Year's Day with white or gold vestments.
Dates and locations
The celebration appears in many countries including the United States, Canada, and Spain. Liège in Belgium has a long historical connection to the feast. Salisbury, York, and Durham in England once marked it on August 7. Aberdeen in Scotland also followed this custom. Compostela in Spain and Cambrai in France observed it on January 8. The Carthusians celebrated it on the second Sunday after Epiphany. Today, the date depends largely on which prayer book or calendar a community uses.
Meaning and significance
The feast commemorates the naming of Jesus eight days after his birth. Scripture records that an angel gave him this name before he was conceived. Medieval Christians linked this event closely with circumcision. They viewed the name as central to his identity and mission. The devotion emphasizes the power and holiness of calling upon Jesus. It serves as a reminder of the incarnation and the divine plan for salvation.
How Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus is kept
Communities gather for liturgical services to read scripture and pray. The Jesuits hold a solemn mass on January 3. Many Catholics spend the entire month of January reflecting on the name. Protestant denominations often include it in New Year's Day worship. Vestments are typically white or gold to signify joy and purity. The observance involves hymns, prayers, and the reading of the Gospel account of the naming.
When and where
It falls on January 1 for many Protestants and Eastern Christians. Catholics use either January 2 or January 3 depending on their calendar. Some historic Anglican sites observed it on August 7. The date shifts based on papal decrees and local traditions over centuries.
It is kept worldwide by various Christian communities. Strongholds include the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe like Belgium and Spain. Liège holds a specific historical place in its observance. The tradition spans from local parishes to major cathedral cities across the globe.
What Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus means
The name represents the core identity of Jesus Christ. It signifies his role as savior and his divine origin. Honoring the name is seen as an act of profound respect and love. It connects believers to the moment of incarnation described in the Gospels. The practice reinforces the belief that the name holds spiritual power and grace.
Questions people ask about Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus
When is Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus kept?
Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus is kept on various dates depending on the denomination, primarily in early January.
What is the Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus?
It is a Christian observance honoring the sacred name of Jesus. Different denominations celebrate it on various dates, often in January. It commemorates the biblical account of Jesus being named at his circumcision.
Who celebrates this feast today?
Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans, Methodists, Presbyterians, and Eastern Orthodox Christians observe it. The Jesuits mark it as a solemnity. Many Catholics dedicate the entire month of January to this devotion.
Why is it important to Christians?
It highlights the divine identity of Jesus given by an angel. The name is central to Christian faith and prayer. It reminds believers of the incarnation and the purpose of Jesus' coming into the world.
See also
Holy WeekThe solemn seven days leading to Easter, recalling the final week and Passion of Jesus
Feast of the AscensionThe fortieth day of Easter, when Christians remember Jesus being taken up into heaven
Feast of Corpus ChristiA Christian feast celebrating the presence of Christ in the bread and wine of the Eucharist
CandlemasA Christian feast of candle blessings marking the end of the Christmas seasonGood reading and sources
- Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryParampara rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.
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