Festivals-christmas Flashcards
(21 cards)
Why might the 25th december have been chosen for Jesus’ birthday
Replace saturnalia-some of the christmas traditions stem from this- candles, trees etc
What precedes christmas in the western tradition
4 weeks of celebration-advent(“coming”)-Celebrates two events-Jesus’ birth and his second coming at the end of times(parousia)
What is the liturgical colour for advent
Purple or violet(blue representing hope is becoming more popular in protestant churches)
What is tthe third sunday of advennt known as
Gaudete(rejoice) sunday-on this day rose colours may be used in churchh
What are some advent customs
Advent wreaths are kept in churches or at home
Advent calendars, first used by lutherans in the 19th and 20th century are opened each day
Christmas decorations are set up
Fasting used to be expected, but no longer in the west
What do the candles in the advent wreath represent
There are 4 candles inserted at the edge for each sunday (3 blue 1 rose) and one day. The 1st represents hope,
2nd is for the prophets,
the third is for gaudete sunday and and is for joy, and
the fourth is the angel candle for the anunciation The fifth candle is white and is christs candle and is lit during the christmas eve.
What hymn iis sung from the 17th to the 23rd of december in the west
The ‘O Antiphons’-each calls upon a biblical attribute of Jesus e.g. wisdom or king of nations
What is the plygain
An old welsh tradition-a carol service between 3 and 6 am on christmas day
What do the parts of a Christingle represent
orange-earth
4 cocktail sticks-4corners of the earth
Sweets-fruit of the earth
Candle-Jesus
Ribbon-Jesus-blood
How manny Eucharists traditionally happen on christmas in the west
3-midnight, dawn then during christmas day
On what day do orthodox Christians celebrate chrismas and why
7th jan-They use the Julian, rather than the gregorian calendar
What day does the armenian orthodox church celebrate christmas
Jan 6th
What is advent known as in the east
Nativity fast-40 days abstaining from red meat, poultry, egg, dairy products, fish and wine
What is there no emphasis on in the eastern orthodox church during advent
The parousia-Jesus 2nd coming
What is the liturgical colour in the orthodox churches
Red, with gold as an alternative
What happens on Christmas eve in the orthodox
Strict fast day known as paramony(preparation)-no solid food should be eaten until the first stars appear
What happens during the advent in the orthodox church
A series of feasts for prophets in the old testament-2 sundays before nativity the sunday of the Forefathers commemorates early church leaders
Sunday before nativity- Sunday of holy fathers-commemorates all the righteous who pleased god up to St Joseph, wife of mary
How long do orthodox Nativity eve services last
All night to be intentionally parallel to Good Friday to emphasise the importance of the incarnation in the resurrection and crucifixion
What special events take place in the service on christmas eve in the orthodox church
The hours-special psalms hymns and readings for each hour, proclaiming Jesus’ glory
Vespers-8 readings about and celebratingChrist being the fulfillment of prophecies
Liturgy of St Basil the Great
The Vigil-Beginning with the great compline
Matins-Christ is born while venerating an icon of the nativity
What does white linen on table cloths in the east represent
The cloth Jesus was wrapped in-candles are also lit to celebrate his life.
Do gifts happen in eastern orthodox christmas
Not really-emphasis on family and activity
