“And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body, given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’” — Luke 22:19 (BSB)
“One generation will commend Your works to the next, and they shall proclaim Your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of Your majesty, and I will meditate on Your wondrous works.” — Psalm 145:4–5 (BSB)
“Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” — Hebrews 13:7 (BSB)
The purpose of holy days is to proclaim God’s glory, remember His faithfulness, and inspire the Church to walk in holiness. Through regular observance of these days, the Church bears witness to the central truths of the Christian faith—not just on Sundays, but throughout the entire year.
Canon Dr. Joel Scandrett (Trinity School for Ministry) writes, “Holy days are moments when the Church stops to remember—what God has done, who Christ is, and who we are called to be. They are not distractions from the Gospel; they are ways of proclaiming it.”
Bishop Julian Dobbs (Diocese of the Living Word, ACNA) explains, “The holy days of the Church are not about ritualism—they’re about rhythm. They root us in truth, encourage us in the faith, and connect us to the great cloud of witnesses.”
The 1662 Book of Common Prayer appoints specific holy days for observance, including feasts of the Lord (such as the Annunciation, Ascension, and All Saints’ Day) as well as days honoring apostles, evangelists, and martyrs. The Collects and Scripture readings for these occasions focus on God’s work in history and His ongoing work in the Church.
J.C. Ryle acknowledged the proper value of holy days, writing, “Let us beware of turning them into mere formalities—but let us not despise them. Well-kept holy days teach us to remember Christ, to honor the saints of old, and to fix our eyes on eternity.” (Old Paths, 1877)
Archbishop Foley Beach (ACNA) has said, “Holy days are gifts to the Church. They help us tell the story, proclaim the truth, and remember that we’re part of something far greater than ourselves.”
When observed in faith, holy days glorify Christ, edify the Church, and remind us that God is at work in every generation. They are not ends in themselves, but windows into the eternal kingdom of God.
St. Leo the Great (c. 400–461 AD): “By celebrating the saints, we exalt Christ, whose grace made them strong. Their feasts are sermons in themselves, proclaiming the power of God in human weakness.” — Sermon 85
St. Athanasius (c. 296–373 AD): “Let the feast be kept in holiness, not for show, but for remembrance. For in remembering God’s works, we are drawn into worship and wonder.” — Festal Letter 5
St. John Chrysostom (c. 347–407 AD): “These holy days are not mere customs. They are sacred remembrances, guiding the Church to walk in the light of the Gospel.” — Homily on the Martyrs, 1
An Anglican Catechism (Expanded) offers over 350+ Scripture-based answers to the core truths of the Christian faith. Each entry includes biblical texts, theological insight, and reflections from historic and contemporary Anglican voices. Rooted in the classical tradition, it is designed for teaching, discipleship, and spiritual formation.
An Ancient Worship Movement invites readers into the rich, historic worship of the early Church rediscovered through the Anglican tradition. This book calls believers into a deeper, Spirit-filled encounter with Christ through timeless practices.
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