HERB - Happy Easter!

Christine A Seelye-King mermayde at juno.com
Sun Apr 4 07:47:36 PDT 1999


Good Friday* - Christian - Commemorates the day Jesus was convicted of
treason against the Roman Empire and crucified. Many people observe the
day with solemn services or processions that reenact Jesus' walk to His
death, carrying his own cross. Supposedly on His way to Golgotha, He
stopped at the door of a woman who was baking and asked for bread.  She
thought he was just a poor misfortunate sentenced to die, so she brought
him in and gave him bread and water.  Legend says He has blessed all
women who bake on Good Friday.  
Hot Cross Buns - traditionally associated with Good Friday, they actually
originate from Egypt.  Early Egyptians offered their moon goddess cakes
marked with horns symbolic of the horned ox they sacrificed at the altar.
Early Greeks presented horn-inscribed cakes to Astarte and other deities.
  The Romans ate cross-bread at sacrificial feasts, and the Saxons
inscribed loaves with a cross in honor of Eostre, the goddess of light
(See Easter).   
Marble Championship - Tinsley Green, Sussex, England - In 1600 two rivals
dueled over a lover with a game of marbles.  Since then, there has been a
marbles championship held in their memory.  
Bermuda - In the 19th century, a teacher who had trouble explaining
Jesus' Ascension into heaven brought his class to the highest hill on the
island, where he launched a kite with an image of Jesus. When the line
ran out, he cut it, and children have flown kites on Good Friday ever
since. 
Vigil of Easter* Many churches celebrate the day between Jesus'
Crucifixion and His Resurrection, with an Easter vigil service.
Worshipers reflect on His suffering and death. Mexico- many people make
ugly effigy of Judas, stuff it with firecrackers, and hang it over a
street. Then they ignite the evil Judas and he explodes. Children
scramble for the candies and little gifts that spurt out of him.
White Saturday - Czechoslovakia - is the favorite time to decorate the
eggs that have been taken to church and blessed.

Easter* - Christian - Celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus. Mary
Magdalene and some companions visited the tomb of Jesus, and the Angel of
the Lord appeared and told them He was risen. Legend has it that the sun
jumps for joy on Easter morning, so many churches have sunrise services.
In the 8th century the Venerable Bede suggested that the word "Easter"
may have come from Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon name of a Teutonic goddess of
spring and fertility. Saxons ate cross-inscribed loaves in her honor. 
Her symbol was a hare, which may explain the custom of the Easter hare,
or rabbit, who brings Easter eggs. The egg may have become a special
Easter symbol of rebirth because eggs were long one of the foods
forbidden during Lent. The use of Easter Eggs among Christians came into
use around 700 AD.  The tradition of coloring eggs probably began with
medieval travelers to Egypt and Persia, where people colored eggs for
their spring festivals.  Red eggs symbolized the Blood of Christ, a
chicken meant the fulfillment of one's dreams, the sun presages good
luck,  flowers for love and understanding, good health is assured by a
deer or a stag, and prosperity by a pig.  In Lancastershire, England, the
children participate in Pace-Egging, where they roll Easter eggs down a
hill.  It was said to commemorate Christ's tomb stone rolling away from
the crypt.   Norsemen also had the word Eostur, Eastur, Ostara, or Ostar,
meaning season of the growing sun.  (This is the latest day on which
Easter Sunday can occur.  The earliest day on which it can fall is March
22nd.)
Lambri* - Greece - "Bright Day" is how Greeks describe Easter. The night
before, all lights go out. At midnight, a priest enters holding a candle,
proclaiming the Resurrection of Christ. His candle is used to light the
candles every person holds. The church bells ring, ships sound their
whistles, and firecrackers go off. Afterward, people celebrate with
dancing, roast lamb, and Easter eggs, which Greeks dye red only.


>From "366 Days of Celebrations, or, A Year Full of Reasons to Throw a
Party" by Christine Seelye-King


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