What Is Octave in the Bible?
Feast
The eight days in which the Church keeps celebrating a great feast, like Christmas or Easter.
It can mean
- Today there are two: the Octave of Easter and the Octave of Christmas. The eight days of Easter are celebrated as solemnities.
- The eighth day: Sunday is the day of the Resurrection: the first day of the week and also the “eighth day.”
- In the Bible: on the eighth day Jesus received his name. And eight days after he rose, he appeared again to the disciples, with Thomas.
Where it appears in the Bible
Luke 2:21; John 20:26
What the Bible says
Luke 2:21
And after eight days were accomplished, that the child should be circumcised, his name was called JESUS, which was called by the angel, before he was conceived in the womb.
John 20:26
And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them. Jesus cometh, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said: Peace be to you.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
Source: Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, 12, 24 and 35; Catechism 1166; RAE, “octava”