The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1894-03-22
CURIOUS EASTER CUSTOMS IN VAR,.
Gus FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
Children Hunting For Eggs on Easter
Morning-The Festival In Russia-De-
scriptiOn of the Ceremonial In Rome.
The Day In Siberia.

~ Il
1NN OF curious customs in va
49, " rious countries. In Ger
t ND many Easter nests are
avn M made to hold the eggs
y and many prepared good
les. These nests are made
sometimes of twigs and ivy, or gilt
and silver leaves, or lace and artifi-
cial flowers. Sometimes a basket lined
with silk and trimmed with ribbon or
anything bright and pretty is used for
nest. Besides the eggs, there are can
dies and cakes made in odd shapes of
people and animals, with marbles, toys
and even books. But whatever else is
missing, the eggs are always there, and,
strange to say, rabbit-not hen-is
set on top of all. The rabbit is made of
pastry or sugar.
On Easter morning the children hunt
for the nest, and the first one who finds
it cries out, ''Oster base, oster hasev'
meaning EASTER rabbit" The finder
then distributes the gifts, which are
marked with the children's names.
In Paris thousands of people go in
holy week to visit ''the tombs" erected in
the various churches, scenes represent
ing the birth and death of Christ. The
figures in these scenes are made very
lifelike and are grouped according to the
descriptions of the events in Scripture.
Many candles and beautiful flowers are
used to decorate them.
Eggs play an important part in the
Easter festival in Russia. It is estimat-
ed that 100000 are used in st. Peters
burg alone at that time. It is necessary
for all persons to prepare good stock of
decorated eggs for every one, and meet
ing and greeting an acquaintance to press
an egg into the hand. All the eggs have
"Christos vosskress," Christ is risen,"
on them, and generally are decorated.
Besides the eggs, everybody gives kiss
to all of his acquaintance he chances to
meet. Not to do so is considered rude
On Good Friday in each church is
placed a representation of Christ's body
after death, and as people pass by it they
kiss the wounds. Saturday is very quiet.
bells. At midnight the priests appear at
their several churches, the song, Christ
is risen from the dead" is heard, the
churches are suddenly lighted, and peo-
pie kneel in groups to receive a blessing.
Then the Easter kissing begins. and ev-
erybody kisses all with whom he has the
slightest acquaintance. In St. Peters
burg there is grand illumination with
fireworks.
In Siberia people shake hands and
present eggs to each other on Easter
morning. These eggs are exchanged for
other eggs, and so on ad ininitum until
the day is over. Men go to each others
houses in the morning and utter the
greeting, "Jesus Christ is risen" The
reply is, Eyes, he is risen," after which
the people embrace, exchange eggs and
drink brandy.
In the Greek church in Asia Minor the
Easter ceremony consists of having a
small bier, decked with orange and cit
ron buds, jasmine flowers and boughs,
placed in the church, with crucifed
Christ rudely painted on board for the
body. Before daybreak a huge bonfire
is lighted, singing and shouting INDUCED
in and every honor paid the efigy, ac-
companied by presents of colored cakes
and Easter eggs.
The observances of Easter are especial
~ interesting at Jerusalem, where the
event which they commemorate took
place. A single mass is celebrated on an
altar erected for the occasion in front
of the sepulcher, which is in the Church
Of the Holy Sepulcher. The Patriarch
of the Holy Land celebrates it, and he
is assisted by members of the franciscan
order. The friars come in q body, and
many high officials attend with their
retinues. There is always vast num-
Der of pilgrims in Rome during holy
week, and among the worshipers one
may see Persians, Russians, Albanians,
Assyrians, Kurds, Armenians, Egyp-
tians, Abssynians, Turks, Arabians and
all sorts of Europeans. On Good Friday
thousands attend a service at Golgotha,
which consists mainly Of the mailing Of
an image to q cross, q sermon on the
crucifxion, the taking down Of the image
and it's removal to q tomb after being
laid on q slab Of marble supposed to be
the same one on which Christ's body was
laid.
In Rome Easter day is tho grand
est Of the year. The Boston Transcript
gives this brief description Of the core.