3 Kings

Matthew begins the second chapter of his Gospel, "When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem.  Saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to adore him."  This is one of the epiphanies. The name and number of the wise men are not given by Matthew. Tradition has three: Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, and their holy day is the 6th of January. This afternoon Saint Casimir had a Pasterka(Shepherds) Mass for the greater Cleveland Polish community. Three men of the parish stood in for the kings. Pasterka Mass is usually Christmas Eve, by having one on Epiphany Sunday the three kings can join the pageantry.