Octave

Celebration of a feast over an eight-day period, beginning with the feast day itself as the first day. The term is from Latin for “eighth.” The term may indicate the entire eight-day celebration or the eighth day of the celebration (also known as the octave day). Celebration of saints' days with octaves were numerous during the middle ages, but the observance of octaves is very limited in current liturgical practice. The term “octave” is not used in the Prayer Book. Proper collects and readings for the weekdays in Easter Week are provided by the Prayer Book. The celebration of Easter Week may be likened to the observance of an octave.