The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-04-14

HOLY WEEK.
INC "" I,bs tcIsnrhrew. .tsood Friday.

This, the closing week OF Lent commonly
known as HOLY, or Passion Week, has been
generally observed throughout the city by
churches of various denominations. ln the
Roman Catholic, Episcopal and some Lutheran
churches daily services have been held Palm
Sunday was the beginning OF the peculiar OBJ
seryances of the season. On that day the
entrance of our Saviour into Jerusalem was COM
memorated 1t derives its name from the fact
OF the palm branches having been strewed in the
way on that occasion. Vhe special services OF
each dav I'm Passion Week bear some reference
10 the daily doings of onr Lord after His entry
into the holy city. On Thursday, this evening,
the time equivalent to that of the institution
Of the Lords Supper, after the eating
OF the Passover, the Holy Communion Is e." ,e
hrated in many churches. On Good FRI. .av the
kaenorial day of the crucinxion rad burial the
most solemn services are .eld. On this day in
the Roman churches suc mass is celebrated by
celebrants attEed in black vestments. The high
altar, and sometimesthe entire church, is draped
M black or darE purple, the penitential color.
The purple color Is also in use in some EpiscO-
pal churches. The usual altar lights are
omitted, and in some churches the bells arc not
allowed to be rung. The lessons in the services
of all the denominations who observe the day
all bear reference to the great event, the cruel
death by cruciGXion of our Lord upon the cross.
Every event and incident connected with the
scene are rehearsed in the hearing of the con-
In the city of Rome the ceremonies of Passion
Week are carried out to the fullest extent. One
Urpat feature Oh Tue ODsCTNH0Ce LucTc Is IlG
performance of the "Miserere" on the afternoon
of Wednesday. This is called the TenebrG, from
the darkness which pervades the building during
the celebration. This 'Miserere" is chanted in
st. Peters, and in every church, but the place
most noted for the celebration is the Sstine
Chapel. All travellers who have ever witnessed
the ceremony in this place unite in the highest
praises of the performance. This chapel is
always crowded to suffocation on the occasion.
The ''Miserere" is chanted by double choir,
composed of the very best singers in Italy, In
almost total darkness, and without any instru-
mental accompaniment whatever. This TcHebrG
is also celebrated in every Roman Catholic
church in this country, but in these 1t is usually
intoned by the priests and attendants, the choir
taking no part.
In st. Adams Chapel New York. and in
several other of the rituastic Episcopal churches
the Tenebrg is celebrated with the most impress
sive Accomplishments that ritualism can pro-
duce.
A most prominent secular observance of the
day in England is the eating of hot cross-buns.
These are a small round cake or bun stamped
with the sign of the cross. In London they are
cried around the streets during the entire day.
The custom is supposed to have originated In
the superstition which prevailed from the
earliest times that bread baked on Good Friday
and kept throughout the ensuing year was q
certain cure, when grated in water, for almost
any complaint. The hot cross-bun is almost
unknown upon the continent of Europe, but in
this country it is frequently met with on the
table, though they are never hawked about the
streets as in England. Several bakers in this
city have been advertising foy week past that
the article will be for sale at their establishments
on Good Friday morning.
The observance of Good Friday at the Roman
Catholic Cathedral in this city includes the ce-
remony of the unveiling of the cross. This is
performed by the bishop, who, after the prayers
at the conclusion of the mass, puts of his vest
ment and takes q veiled cross from the altar.
He carries it to the epistle corner of the altar,
where he uncovers the top of the cross, lntonng
the "Ecce ligsum crUcis," Behold the wood OF
the cross" He then gees to the right side ol
the altar where he uncovers the right arm OF
the cross, using the same sentence; and proceed
ing thence to the middle of the altar, the entire
cross is uncovered, and the Ecce HguIn intoneo
as before. The cross is then placed before the
altar where it is adored by bishops, clergymen
and people in turn, each one knee!ing thrice
upon both knees and kissing the feet of the cru
cifx. When the alteration is almost finished the
candles on the altar are lighted, and at Its con
clxsion the cross is restored to its place.
The solemn services of Passion Week are sue
ceeded by the joyful ones of Easter. On tina
day. commemorative OF our SaViours rlsln9
again from the dead, services expressive of thu
greatest Joy OF the faithful in this glorious
are held. The church buildings lose thei
sembre trimmings, and are dressed In bright
lively colors. The aid of beautiful flowers i
called in to help the effect, and the music, whic
before was solemn and dirge-like, Is now brlgh
and joyful. These are some of the many way
by which the services of the season are mad
effective, and no one of sound common sens
has ever doubted their appropriateness, thoug
many sects and individuals fail themselves t
observe them.
LOCAL ODDS AND ENDs.-A good heav
shswer of half an hours duration would prov
a blessing in the way of settling the dust tbs
now almost blinds the pedestrian.
The opening trot at Suffolk Park comes o
this afternoon; consequently but few gambler
or sporting men will be found promenadin
Chestnut street.
Third street is again in state of uphesva
This time the starting point is Market street an
the direction southward We understand that
culvert is to be built.
-Intemperance amongst youth of fifteen an
sixteen summers is growing to an alarming e.
tsnt. The Mayor should at once give orders fO
the rigid enforcement of the law relative I
selling liquor to minors.
Politics in the Twenty-secend ward al
growing llyelier every day. Some say that A