The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-04-18

A number OF petitions were presented
and appropriately referred.
EASTER SUNDAY.-Sunday next is Eas.
ter, the Christian passover and festival OF
the resurrection of Christ-the close of Lent
and the commencement of another season OF
social pleasure. During this week special
services will be held each day IN the Episco-
pal and Catholic churches.
The question of determining the day
upon which Easter came, was for long
time vexed one and gave rise to many con-
troversies. The great majority of Z hristian
churches, attaching most Importance to the
day of Christ's resurrection. which was the
first day of the week (hence called the Lord s
day, our Sunday held to Easter being cele-
brated on that day, and on the sunday
which followed the 18th day OF the moon OF
March, the day on which Christ suffered.
This question, one OF custom and local dis
cipline in the beginning, had given so much
trouble that about 15S Polycarp, disciple of
st. John the Evangelist and Bishop OF
Smyrna, went to Rome to consult with Pope
Anicetus on the means Of healing the differ
ences. In the council held in Rome on this
occasion, the present manner OF celebrating
Easter was affirmed. Gradually, however,
the question of the Eastern celebration from
one of discipline became one of dogma. In
1S2 priest called Blastus, made himself
very obnoxious in Rome by endeavoring to
have the Jewish rule of celebrating Easter
on the 18th day of the moon Of March adopt.
ed as rule of faith. The discussion through.
out the Christian world had become so angry
that Polycrates, bishop Of Ephesus, appealed
to Victor, bishop of Rome, asking to have
this matter settled once and for all. Coun-
ellis were at once assembled in Gaul, Potus,
| Osroene, Archia, and other countries, as we'll
| as in Rome. The result was decision fix
| ing the feast of Easter, or the resurrection,
on the Sunday Immediately following the
18th day of the March moon. Polycrates
refused to acquiesce in this decision, because
it involved an abandonment of the customs Of
his fathers. A schism was averted, howev-
err, and afterwards the contending parties
agreed to maintain their respective customs
and practices without censuring one another.
Constantine had the subject brought before
the council of Nice in 1926. The question
was fully discussed and finally settled for
the whole church by adopting the rule which
makes Easter day to be always the first Sun
day after the full moon which happens upon
or next after March 2lst; and if the full
moon happens on Sunday, Easter day is the
Sunday after. By this arrangement Easter
may come as early as March 22d, or as late
as April 18th. In France the year began
with Easter from the 18th century till 1864,
for which year Charles TX fixed January
as the first day.
This sacred festival has been termed the
Queen of festivals; 1t has been observed
from the very beginning, and is celebrated
in every part of the Christian world with
great solemnity and devotion. The day be.
fore Easter Sunday, or Holy Saturday, has
been set apart as day for specially solemn
izing baptism. Courts Of justice were closed.
aims were distributed, slaves were freed
and the people gave themselves up to enjoy
ment and feasting. In nearly all Christian
countries the recurrence of Easter has beer
celebrated with various ceremonies and pop
ular sports and observances. Among thu
best known is the custom of making presents
of colored eggs, which were oftimes elabor.
ately ornamented and in the royal roll o
the time of Edward |, preserved in the tow
er, appears an entry Of 18d. for 400 eggs te
be used for this purpose. The practice O
pecking eggs at this season to test th.
strength of the shell, which prevails to such
an extent among the children around us
is also common in most OF the Christia.
countries. In some parts Of Ireland the legent
is current that the sun dances in the SIX.
on Easter morning. This was once q pre-
| vailing superstition in England also, which
Sir Thos. Brown, In his enquiry into Vul
gar Errors" thought it not superAdous t,
declare unfounded. The game of bali wa
favorte Easter sport, in which munieipa
corporations formerly engaged with du
parade and dignity; and at Bury St. Ed
mund's within few years the game wa
kept with great spirit by twelve old women
In tire northern countries Of England tn
men parade the streets on Easter Sunday
and claim the privilege of lifting every wo
man three times from the ground, receiyin,
in payment kiss or silver siYpence. The
same is done by the women to the men O,
the next day,