An Ancient Processional Celebrating Epiphany

Every January since 1984 Trinity has celebrated the Epiphany with the Boar’s Head Festival—a musical procession begun at Queen’s College in Oxford, England in 1340 where the presentation of the boar’s head represented the triumph of Christ over Satan.

Excitement mounts as the townspeople prepare the Sanctuary for the arrival of the beefeaters with the boar’s head. Greeting their guests are the nobleman and his lady. Strains of familiar Christmas carols are heard as the juggler entertains with his amusing antics. Even the winter spirit makes herself known.

The Festival officially begins as a tiny sprite brings into the darkened church a lighted candle which symbolizes the coming of the Light into the world. Representing the Church, the ministers receive the Light, and from its flickering flame rise the lights of the altar and the light of the church itself.

A brass fanfare and the herald announce the entrance of the Boar’s Head company. Next come the monks and the waits, all praising the Incarnate Lord. Then follow King Wenceslas, his page and sprites, the woodsmen with the Yule Log and its rider, the shepherds and animals searching for the Christ and the three kings bearing their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

When all have assembled, they kneel in adoration of the Lord of Lords as the church is darkened and the TeDeum window, symbol of the epiphany star, shines over the altar. After the assemblage has recessed, the sprite returns and with the ministers takes the lighted candle forth to show that Christ is The Light to all people.

 

 

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Boar’s Head Festival 2010

January 8,9, and 10

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