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RE - Christianity > Easter, Lent and Holy Week > Flashcards

Easter, Lent and Holy Week Flashcards

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1
Q

When do both Churches agree Easter is?

A

the first Sunday after the first full moon or after spring equinox

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2
Q

Why do the dates for Easter differ between the two Churches?

A

They use different calendars

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3
Q

How does the Western church calculate the date for Easter?

A

They use the Gregorian calendar which uses a fixed date for spring equinox (21st March)
The first full moon is the ‘ecclesiastical’ moon, based on tables created by the Church rather than astronomically
Easter can always be calculated in advice but it also mans that sometimes it falls before Passover

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4
Q

How does the Eastern Church calculate the date for Easter?

A

They use the Julian calendar which defines spring equinox as observed from the meridian of Jerusalem
The 1st full moon is when astronomically the full moon appears
This means Eastern Easter is not known in advance and can move very significantly in different years
It also means that Easter always falls after Passover

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5
Q

What does Lent remember in the Western Church? What do people do?

A

It remembers Jesus’ fast for 40 days before he began his public ministry
People give up luxuries and some food items

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6
Q

What happens at the start of Lent in the Western Church?

A

Ash Wednesday begins Lent. It is a day of fasting: no meat, only one full meal. At mass, ashes from last year’s Palm Sunday palms are burned and put on the forehead, saying “Repent, and believe in the Gospel”

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7
Q

What event starts Lent in the WC?

A

Ash Wednesday

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8
Q

What are the key features of Lent in the Western Church?

A
  • Sacrament of Reconciliation
  • Time of prayer: spend more time reading and studying the Bible, in personal prayer, attending a prayer group or session
  • More effort to do works of mercy and charity
  • Stations of the Cross are said, often on a Friday: individually, or as a community –14 “stations” showing Jesus walk to the cross, crucifixion and burial
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9
Q

What is there more effort to do the the WC during Lent?

A

Works of mercy and charity

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10
Q

What decorations does the WC use during Lent?

A

No flowers in church, statues and paintings covered up with purple cloths.
Liturgical colour of vestments and furnishings is purple.
No alleluias are sung.

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11
Q

What colour is used during Lent in the WC?

A

Purple

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12
Q

What are the 3 key dates for Lent in the WC?

A
  • 4th Sunday is called “Laetere Sunday” (Rejoicing Sunday) and pink is theliturgical colour. Less about repentance, and more about hope for salvation.
  • 5th Sunday is “Passion Sunday” - the whole story of the passion is read in the Gospel reading
  • 6th and last Sunday, is “Palm Sunday”: the last sunday of Lent, and the first Sunday, when Holy Week begins.
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13
Q

What is Laetere Sunday in the WC?

A

4th Sunday of Lent.
Pink is the liturgical colour. Less about repentance, and more about hope for salvation.

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14
Q

What is Passion Sunday in the WC?

A

5th Sunday is “Passion Sunday” - the whole story of the passion is read in the Gospel reading

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15
Q

What is Palm Sunday in the WC?

A

6th and last Sunday, is “Palm Sunday”: the last sunday of Lent, and the first Sunday, when Holy Week begins.

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16
Q

What is Orthodox Lent known as?

A

The Triodion season

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17
Q

What is the Triodion season?

A

Orthodox Lent. It is split into 3 parts with the theme of repentance and the liturgical colour is black

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18
Q

What is the theme of the Triodion season?

A

Repentence

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19
Q

What is the liturgical colour of the Triodion season?

A

Black

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20
Q

What are the 3 parts of the triodion season?

A
  1. Three pre-lenten weeks (preparing for Lent)
  2. Great Lent
  3. “Holy Pascha” - The Great Passover
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21
Q

What are the three pre-Lenten weeks in the Orthodox Church?

A

Preparing for Lent
Themes are humility, repentance, with the Parable of Prodigal Son read out.
Meatfare Sunday – last day meat, fish or poultry eaten before Easter
Cheesefare Sunday – the last day dairy products eaten before Easter.

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22
Q

What are the 2 special Sundays in the pre-Lenten weeks in the OC?

A

Meatfare Sunday
Cheesefare Sunday

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23
Q

What is Meatfare Sunday?

A

One of the pre-Lenten weeks in the OC. It is the last day that meat, fish and poultry is eaten before Easter

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24
Q

What is Cheesefare Sunday?

A

One of the pre-Lenten weeks in the OC. It is the last day that dairy products are eaten before Easter

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25
How long is "Great Lent"?
6 weeks
26
What is Great Lent?
40 days of spiritual preparation. 2 aspects: - Prayer – to read Bible, turn to God more in prayer. - Fasting – Vegan. Not weighed down by rich food, or greed, can feel spiritually lighter and stronger. More able to feel sympathy for the poor. Starts on Clean Monday, and Clean Week follows it – v strict fast, no food Mon/ Wed/Fri. 2nd Week – St Gregory of Palamas (known for his ascetic lifestyle and dedication to prayer) 3rd& 4th Week – veneration of the Cross 5th Week – veneration of Mary (theotokos). 6th Week – Great Lent ends Vespers Friday. Sat = Lazarus Saturday
27
How days of spiritual preparation happen during Great Lent?
40
28
What are the two aspects of Great Lent?
Prayer – to read Bible, turn to God more in prayer. Fasting – Vegan. Not weighed down by rich food, or greed, can feel spiritually lighter and stronger. More able to feel sympathy for the poor.
29
What does Great Lent start with?
Clean Monday and Clean Week follows it - very strict fast, no food on Mon/Wed/Fri
30
What is the 2nd week of Great Lent focused on?
St Gregory of Palamas
31
What is the 3rd and 4th week of Great Lent focused on?
Veneration of the cross
32
What is the 5th week focused on?
Veneration of Mary (theotokos)
33
What term is used for Mary by the OC?
Theotokos
34
What is the Friday in the 6th week of Great Lent called?
Vespers Friday
35
What is the Saturday in the 6th week of Great Lent called?
Lazarus Saturday
36
What is the 3rd part of the Triodion season called?
"Holy Pascha" - The Great Passover
37
What is Holy Pascha?
The days of Holy Week and Easter Sunday itself
38
What are the 4 key events in the WC during Holy Week?
Palm Sunday Maundy Thursday Good Friday Holy Saturday
39
What happens on Palm Sunday in the WC?
People carry palms in a procession into Church, to remember Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey and being greeted by rejoicing crowds. Story of the Passion is read in full.
40
How is Maundy Thursday celebrated in the Western Church?
solemn celebration of Lord’s supper. Washing of the feet. Then host in monstrance taken to an altar of repose, where people keep watch until midnight (Jesus praying in Gethsemane before arrested)
41
How is Good Friday celebrated in the WC?
strict fast on this day (one full meal, no meat). 3pm liturgy of the Cross. Very solemn. Prayers for the world. Includes opportunity for veneration of the cross. No consecration of hosts (preconsecrated ones are handed out). (Anglicans – no liturgy, maybe 3hr meditation on the cross)
42
What is different about the Good Friday celebrations in the Anglican Church?
They have no liturgy but they may have a 3hr meditation on the cross
43
How is Holy Saturday celebrated in the WC?
No masses celebrated, altar is bare, Jesus is in the tomb
44
What happens during Great Pascha/Holy Week in the OC?
Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, with blessing of palms early morning. - “Bridegroom services” on evenings of Sun, Mon, Tues – theme to be ready for coming of Christ in glory – the bridegroom, and anticipate events of following day. - Holy and Great Monday – Joseph from OT, type of Christ - Holy and Great Tues - Parable 10 virgins (message is to let your faith show) - Holy and Great Wed – Jesus anointed at Bethany - Holy and Great Thurs – Mystical Supper (institution of Eucharist) - Holy and Great Fri – commemorates Jesus’ passion. Strict fast day. 3 solemn services: -- Royal Hours – 1st service (royalty used to attend). The epitaphio cloth, representing Jesus’ burial, is folded and placed on the altar, representing his burial in the tomb & sprinkled Holy Water & rose petals. -- Evening: Lamentations psalms of Mary for her son. - Holy and Great Sat – Great and Holy Saturday vespers & Liturgy of St Basil service (commemorates Jesus’ descent into hell, to liberate Adam & Eve. Strict fast, black liturgical vestments changed to white as gospel is read – atmosphere changes.
45
What does Holy Week in the OC start with?
Palm Sunday
46
What are the Bridegroom services?
Services on evenings of Sunday, Monday, Tuesday Theme for coming of Christ in glory (the bridegroom) Day after Palm Sunday
47
What is the focus on Holy and Great Monday in the OC?
Joseph from the OT, type of Christ
48
What is the focus on Holy and Great Tuesday in the OC?
Parable 10 virgins (message is to let your faith show)
49
What is the focus for Holy and Great Wednesday in the OC?
Jesus appointed at Bethany
50
What is the focus for Holy and Great Thursday in the OC?
Mystical Supper (institution of Eucharist)
51
What is Holy and Great Friday in the OC?
Strict fast day commemorating Jesus' passion with 3 solemn services
52
What is Royal Hours?
1st service on Holy and Great Friday during Holy Week in the OC. Royalty used to attend it. The epitaphio cloth, representing Jesus' burial, is folded and placed on the altar, representing his burial in the tomb & sprinkled with Holy Water and rose petals
53
What is the epitaphio cloth?
A cloth used during the royal hours on Holy ad Great Friday which represents Jesus' burial
54
What happens in the evening on Holy and Great Friday?
Lamentations psalms of Mary for her son
55
What happens on Holy and Great Saturday in Holy Week in the OC?
Great and Holy Saturday vespers & Liturgy of St Basil service (commemorates Jesus’ descent into hell, to liberate Adam & Eve. Strict fast, black liturgical vestments changed to white as gospel is read – atmosphere changes.
56
What colour do the vestments in the OC change from and into on Holy and Great Saturday?
Black into white
57
What happens on Easter Sunday in the Western Church?
- Easter begins with a Vigil Mass on Holy Saturday night: a charcoal fire is lit, and the Church is completely dark. People gather outside. - The Paschal Candle is lit, accompanied by the cry: “The Light of Christ”. People have their candles lit from it, so the dark Church has light in it. - The story of salvation is read, from Genesis through to Jesus’ resurrection is read, in 9 readings. When the gospel is about to be read, all purple coverings are removed and church bells ring out in joy. - Holy Water is blessed, and people renew their baptismal promises. Often, new converts are baptized and confirmed at this mass. - Liturgical colour is white, . Yellow and white flowers are brought in. - Easter Sunday itself will celebrate the Resurrection with Easter Mass. People go home and feast.
58
What is the Easter Vigil marked by in the WC?
The first use since the beginning of Lent of the exclamatory "alleluia"
59
What is the liturgical colour for Easter in the WC?
White
60
What is read on Easter in the WC?
story of salvation is read, from Genesis through to Jesus’ resurrection is read, in 9 readings
61
What does Great Lent end with?/What does Easter start with in the OC?
Midnight Office/Vigil when all lights and candles are put out. The liturgical colour is white
62
Easter Sunday in the EC?
- Great Lent ends with the Midnight Office/Vigil when all lights and candles are put out. The liturgical colour is white. - This is the first part of the Paschal Vigil, celebrating the Resurrection. At midnight, candles are lit. Everyone marches around the church singing ‘At thy resurrection O Christ our Saviour, the angels in Heaven sing’. - The procession stops in front of the closed doors. Then the Easter services begin. - After these services, the priest may bless paschal eggs and baskets containing food forbidden in the Great Fast. It is also customary to break open hard-boiled eggs, dyed red to symbolise the blood of Christ, to celebrate the opening of Jesus’ tomb. - The customary Easter greeting is “Christ is risen”, the response “He is risen indeed!” - In the services, along with the passing of light and the procession, people make the sign of cross, they ring bells, and psalms of Christmas morning are said (Matins). The church is sprinkled with fresh bay leaves, to represent Jesus’ victory. - After the services, the congregation may share an agape meal: Break fast: family gather around table, soup, bread, eggs – crack red-dyed eggs, as symbol of resurrection / Easter Sunday brunch: meal of roast lamb, feast all day / Afternoon: vespers and gospel of John read out in several languages, as symbol of universality of resurrection. - 1st week called “Bright Week” = joyful & thanksgiving. - Feasting for next 40 days, no fasting.
63
Describe the paschal vigil in the EC?
Great Lent ends with the Midnight Office/Vigil when all lights and candles are put out. This is the first part of the Paschal Vigil, celebrating the Resurrection. At midnight, candles are lit. Everyone marches around the church singing ‘At thy resurrection O Christ our Saviour, the angels in Heaven sing’. The procession stops in front of the closed doors. Then the Easter services begin
64
What does the priest bless on Easter in the EC?
Paschal eggs and baskets containing food forbidden in the Great Fast
65
What is it customary to do with eggs on Easter in the EC?
Priest blesses paschal eggs Break open hard-boiled eggs, dyed red to symbolise the blood of Christ to celebrate the opening of Jesus' tomb
66
What is the customary Easter greeting and response in the EC?
"Christ is risen" / "He is risen indeed"
67
What does the congregation share on Easter in the EC?
An agape meal
68
What do people have for breakfast in the EC on Easter?
family gather around table, soup, bread, eggs – crack red-dyed eggs, as symbol of resurrection
69
What do people have for their Easter Sunday brunch in the EC?
Meal of roast lamb, feast all day
70
What do people do in the afternoon on Easter in the EC?
Vespers and gospel of John are read out in several languages as a symbol of the universality of resurrection
71
What is the 1st week of easter called in the EC and what does it focus on?
bright week Joy and thanksgiving
72
What happens after Easter in the EC?
Feasting for 40 days
73
What is the similarities between the Eastern and Western celebrations? (8)
1. importance of resurrection 2. joyous occasion 3. darkness to light - candles 4. customary greetings 5. structured service 6. family and community time 7. liturgical colour of Easter - white 8. increased focus on prayer
74
What are the differences between the Eastern and Western celebrations?
1. different dates 2. strict fasting in the EC 3. different focuses in Lent weeks 4. liturgical colours of Lent 5. days of the Holy Week celebrated 6. renewed baptism in WC 7. rituals (e.g eggs, agape meal, bay leaves, covering decorations)

RE - Christianity (1 decks)

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