Festivals-Easter Flashcards
(19 cards)
Why do the dates for easter differ between western and orthodox churches if they agree on the same formula(First sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox)
They use different calendars-gregorian vs julian and fiferent definitions of full moon and equinox
Eastern orthodox ensures passover also happens before easter, due to bible chronology, whereas in the west that isnt always maintained
How long does lent last in the west
40 days
What day does lent begin(in the west)
Ash wednesday
What is the service of the stations of the cross
A devotional reenactment of christs passion that takes place during lent
What is the liturgical colour for lent in the west
Purple
What significant dates are there in Lent in the West
4th sunday, the halway point between ash wednesday and easter sunday is laetare sunday(similar to gaudette sunday priests can wear rose) Also known as mothering sunday
5th sunday is passion sunday, starting the passiontide
6ttn sunday is palm sunday, commemorating Jesus’ triumpahnt entrance to jersualem a week before the crucifixion
Thursday of this week is Maundy Thursday-commemorates the last supper-priests may was feet
Day after is good friday-day of atonement
What happens on good friday in the west
RCC treats it as a fast day-No eucharist between maundy thursday but communion from reserves can happen-only sacraments are baptism, penance and anointing the sick
Anglican-3 hour meditation on the cross at 12 pm
Lutheran-Good friday liturgy is part of the holy tridium-Tenebrae service on good friday-candelight
What happens on Easter day (vigil) in the western Church
A vigil may be held after nightfall on saturday or before dawn on easter sunday. A paschal candle symbolising the resurrection may be lit. Statues and images may be unveiled, having been veiled during lent. In contrast with Lent, it is a joyous celebration, with a liturgical colour of white, sometimes wit hgold, and flowers decorate churches.
What is the most important fasting season in the eastern church
Lent-its preceded by 3 weeks of preparation
What is the first day of eastern orthodox lent
Clean Monday-Rather than the west’s ash wednesday
What is Clean Week
First week of lent-refers to the spiritual cleansing of the faithful-there is strict fasting
What takes place on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th weeks of orthodox lent
2nd-commemoration of St Gregory Palamas-great orthodox saint
3rd-On sunday(the midpoint) the veneration of the cross is celebrated-in an all night vigil in which a cross is bought on and venerated(4th week is an extension of this)
What happens in the 5th and 6th weeks of orthodox lent
5th-saturday is the day of Theotokos-mother of god-a hymn to mary is sung during the matins
6th-Lent ends with vespers on the friday and is followed by Lazarus Saturday, celebrating lazarus’ resurrection as foreshadowing of Jesus’
What happens during orthodox holy week mon-thursday
Begins on the night of Palm sunday
Holy and great monday-Joseph is a type of christ
Holy and great tuesday-parable of the ten virgins
Holy and great wednesday-Anointing of jesus in bethany
Holy and great thursday-Mystical Supper
What happens on orthodox holy week fri-sat
Holy and great Friday-Jesus’ passion-strict fast day. 3 services, with the evening one including the Lamentation praises, about marys regrets for her son. A cloth icon, the epitaphios, representing the shroud of turin is placed on an bier, representing his tomb
Holy and great Saturday-Jesus’ burial and descent to hell. More fasting, mixed services of sorrow and joy. Liturgical colour is still black, but is changed to white before the gospel reading. Church is sprinkled with fresh bay leaves to represent jesus victory over death, salvific work accomplished. However, hhs resurrection is only proclaimed during the Pashal vigil.
What is the last easter service in the eastern church
Midnight Office-first part of the paschal vigil .At the end all candles are extinguished and there is silence until midnight when the resurrection is proclaimed
What follows the midnight office
Easter Matins, then Easter Hours then the Easter divine liturgy, followed by the Agape Vespers, and passages of john are read out in different languages for the universality of the resurrection
What is easter week known as in the orthodox church
Bright Week-no fasting
What is the traditional greeting in the eastern orthodox church during bright week
Christ has risen-He is risen indeed
