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A Key to the Calendar
An account of the various Saints' Days and Anniversaries. (Many of these Days are movable, and can be ascertained by referring to the preceding tables.) JANUARY.
January is so named from the Roman Janus, who was the janitor of heaven, one of which looked back, over the old year; the other forward, to the new. He presided over the beginning or opening of everything, hence the first month of the year was called after him, when the Roman year was altered by Numa Pompilius (d. 672 B. c.) from 10 months, beginning in March, to 12 months by adding January and February. In his original character Janus was the god of the sun, and worshipped as such by the Etruscans and the Romans. The temple of Janus (which was really a covered passage or gate at Rome) was left open in war as a symbol that the god had gone out to assist the Roman arms, while it was continually shut in the time of peace. On New Year's day, which was the festival of the god Janus, the Romans gave presents to one another. Thus ancient was the origin of the modern custom. A warm January is regarded by the farmer with anything but satisfaction. having the surname of Patulcus, the opener. He was represensed with two faces, Circumcision. Instituted to commemorate our Savior's obedience to the ceremonial law on the eighth day after the Nativity. This feast was one of the latest introduced into the calendar, and does not appear to have been observed till toward the end of the 11th century. The first day of the year is generally observed as a season of rejoicing throughout the world. In Scotland it is a general holiday; in France le jour de l'an is celebrated by making presents to both young and old, and Paris presents all the appearance of an immense fair. Epiphany, or Manifestation. On this day the Wise Men of the East, following the guiding of a star, found the infant Savior in the manger at Bethlehem, and there offered Him gifts. According to tradition, the Wise Men were three kings-
Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar; they were later in life baptized by St. Thomas, and spent their days in preaching the gospel; after death their relics were removed to Cologne, and may to this day be seen in the noble cathedral there. Following their example, the Queen of England, through the Lord
Chamberlain, annually on this day presents gold, frankincense and myrrh at the Chapel Royal, St. James.
Old Christmas Day. Until the alteration of the calendar in the year 1752, the anniversary of Christ's birth was held on this day.
Twelfth Day. This is a high festival with young people, not only in England, but in most parts of Europe also; a cake is prepared for the occasion, and the king is drawn by lot. 8. St. Lucian. But little is known of this saint, who is supposed to have been a native of Syria, and to have suffered martyrdom on the rack of Nicomedia.
By others he is supposed to have been a priest associated with St. Denys in missionary work, and to have suffered martyrdom at Beauvais, A.D. 312. Plough Monday. The first Monday after the Epiphany is still observed as a day of conviviality in many parts of Great Britain. In former times the ploughmen kept lights burning before favorite shrines in order to obtain a blessing on their labors; they also went from house to house, begging money to "speed the plow" by paying for the tapers, but money so collected is now too frequently spent in dissipation. 13. St. Hilary, Bishop of Poictiers, was an eminent defender of the truth, in opposition to the Arians; for so doing he was banished to Phrygia by the Emperor Constantius, but after some years returned to his see, where he died in peace, A. D. 368. 18. St.Prisca, Virgin and Martyr, is said to have been a noble Roman maiden of about 12, who, on refusing to sacrifice to the gods, was thrown into the amphitheatre; but the lions, recognizing her sanctity, lay down at her feet and refused to touch her; she was then beheaded, upon which an eagle descended and watched her corpse till it was buried. 20. St. Fabian succeeded St. Anterus as Bishop of Rome, A. D. 236. He suffered in the Decian persecutions, A.D. 250. This is the eve of St. Agnes, a day celebrated by poets, and dear to maidens who, after using certain charms, desire to be favored with dreams of their future husbands. 21. St. Agnes, having devoted herself to the service of God, refused to become the bride of a noble Roman; she was charged with being a Christian, and endured many brutal indignities rather than sacrifice to the gods. She suffered martyrdom, A. D. 304, being first thrust into the flames, and afterwards beheaded.
Shortly afterwards, while her parents were bewailing her death, she appeared to them with a glorified aspect, and a spotless lamb by her side, and bade them dry their tears, for she was now for ever united to her dear Saviour. 23. St. Vincent, a Spaniard, suffered an amount of refined cruelty such as fell to the lot of few. He was half roasted on a kind of gridiron covered with sharp spikes, and salt was sprinkled upon him during the process; when nearly exhausted, he was taken off by his persecutors to be reserved for another day, but he almost immediately expired, A.D. 304. 25. Conversion of St. Paul. With few exceptions, other saints are commemorated only when they suffered martyrdom, but of St. Paul we celebrate both the anniversary of his death and also that of his conversion-the greatest triumph of Christianity up to that time, when Saul the persecutor became Paul the apostle. He then devoted all his energies to the propagation of that Gospel which he had before endeavored to eradicate: his former glory he now accounted shame. According to some traditions, he visited Britain, but of this there is no trustworthy record; there were Christians in the island at a very early period, but there are other traditions that St. Joseph of Arimathea was the first to plant the Gospel; certain it is that from the earliest records St. Paul was the patron saint of London, whose shields bears his emblem-a sword or dagger-and whose cathedral is dedicated to him. It is recorded that in company with St. Peter he suffered martyrdom at Rome. After decapitation his head rebounded three times, and a fountain gushed out from each place touched. In the Church of the Three Fountains, at Rome, fountains may still be seen. 30. King Charles the Martyr. Till 1859 a red-letter anniversary in the English
Calendar, with a service appointed for the day. How such a service could have been retained for nearly two hundred years will probably serve as a subject for discussion by future antiquaries. The office found many defenders, even the impiety and profanity of some of the allusions were regarded as the most appropriate that could be selected, and the whole service was regarded as being almost inspired.
FEBRUARY.