New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-08
THE FIRST MIRACLE.

TO His own birthplace and 10 others Of the Madonna and
Child appearing IN the heavens The illustration OF
the Masi gazing at the an;hropomorphic star Is
sketch from a Fourteenth Century picture by Giottos
pupil Iaddeo Gaddi. In many early Italian frescoes the
same idea is depicted.
But there other legends which group them
selves about Epiphany besides those connected with
the Three Kings. ST. John Chrysosiom. who has the
reputation OF having been the golden tongued orator
Of his time. that the adoraton OF the Magi me
baptism Of Christ and the first miracle OF making water
into wine at the Cana marriage feast took Place all
on the same day, but not the same year. That Ii
given as one reason connecting all these incidents
In Christ's life about the same day Their likeness
manifestations each In different way OF divinity to
the world are perhaps more TO be Looked to as reasons
for their common celebration. The miracle at Cana
was a favorite subject With early Christian artists
The Exarchs Of Ravenna In the Seventh Century, had
the covering Of tseir throne adorned with an IVORY
carving OF this miracle and the sketch here repro
duced is from ivory supposed to have been so
placed.
On the eve OF Epiphany. Chrysostom tells us, the
people were IN the habit Of coming H. the churches
and taking homGTater consented during the night
and the water that night made holy Kept pure LOT
a year. and in for three years That
Gus tom has kept up this day among the Greek
Churchmen Of Russia All through the early times.
so Fppanius tells us the fountains and rivers Of The
Nile country wer changed TO wine on the anniversary
OF the Cana miracle.
EplpLanv was and l. day for solemn religious
observance. When books were few and advertising
calendars did not hang In every house. Oh that day
notice was given OF the date OF Easter, which was
matter Of careful mathematical calculation. Theii'
TOO the metropolitan bishops used TO send pastoral
letters their provincial bishops ut this ume Dur
ing the Middle Ages dramatic representation OF uIo
oblatOn OF the wise men used 10 be incorporated mo
tho Epiphany service and the custom Is still observed
in some places. Its most curious analogy II not eur
vyal is still found In the ROYAL Chapel In ST. James's
Palace London The English sovereigns used In per
| son to make Offering Of gold and frnlhincense and
myrr at the chapel altar, but at about the ume OF
George III, owing - his long continued Illness the
duty was delegated to the lord chamberlain VINO aler
Il time delegated it TO subordlnates in his Office who
sin perform II. Each year two persons from IN"
lord chamberlalns visit the chapel with box covered
with crimson SIX containing the gifts. When the
oferlOry sentences read In the service they ap
| pfOach the clancc ana place the Obid,lon on the
basin in the hands OF the priest. That Is all that
of the ctFf TTcS SO cre i" % re" no"
At the College Of the Propaganda IN Rome when the
theol9gc students from s @TGry n ea nG mo I
addresses IN their nauv. lneuiGcS ms wOnid seem
| power IN the Gift Of tor gues.
Inc twelve DAYS LctHeen the festival Of the Nativity
and Epiphany are dedicated to th t",lVs ARsaes as
custom which survived into the second quarter Of mi,
r H 6s 2q ardl Day %S '% os s
reprcsented the saviour. These smaller fires typnci
line ore iire-t.a Of Judas Iscarot-wns kicked about
by the rustics and then put out Willie the others were
The Imagination Of the Middle Ages was not such
would have caused oscar Wide any nneasincss or
fear that art would lie lost H. nature. II was IN fact
extremely robust II did It's full share IA extending the
fame Of tn" Three Kings Of Cologne Their shrine was
manic rings we're manufactured which found their
way every part Of Europe and IN recent years those
rings inscribed witt the wise mems Dnnles hay" been
| places,
dredgcd up from the bed of the Thames. They were
believed TO have power ward on disease and sudden
death and were Of especial efficacy against the fall
Ing sickness" ParthIncnis with the names written
upon them certain remedy for many Ms and
served the purpose which the horse chestnut now full
ls FOR him who. wiser In his DAY, Is not sperstitlols
hut Just believes that things have medicinal properties
not Understood by the doctors The rogues were quite
as supcrstitions as the cody. Within ninety years IN
England some Smggglers were arr DOR donnIf
with him and confessed that he had thought hims:if
nss of ' Denmark IS the m"%sve drinking horn Of
| Christian ]. made In the Fifteenth Century and ded
Ecco Ia Beiana" IS Il familiar cry In Italian homes
W"h Ne ign road The Esn1 r. an old imam
| way to Jerusalem. She sweeping when they
passed and would not stop to look them saving she
that way. and she has been looking for them ever
since going about like the Wandering Jew. she
takes great interest In children and on Twelfth Night
The little Italians hang up their stockings and are
early sent TO bed. Then comes the BcTana and ms
the stockings with presente but the bad child
hearts and Furnishes the wicked by gathering ashes
from hearth and putting them In the stocking Then
| tire are and repentance when after the cry
Ecco Ia Berana" Is raised by some older watcher
| the child finds his better portion The BeiIana how
ever Is compassionate, and has been known TO re-
turn later IN the night 10 comfort little pennts with
gifts. she Is power among Italian children. and
whole years good behavior sometimes Is due TO her
| coming.
| Wassaing had It's place at Twelfth Day Eve, ms all
! through the Christmas Holy days seem in
this respect have been much alike Brnscy Sher.ans
| lass Of various ages We may safely warrant they
will prove an for the glass. Ale and cakes were
| always In order. AT the Drury Lane Theatre. in