The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-04-03
EASTER IN OTHER LANDS.
Strange Ceremonies of Ancient and
Modern Times.

Strange Ceremonies of Ancient and
Modern Times.
Among the most impressive Of Easter
customs is that of foot washing, mon
archs and mobiles performing the office
for the poor and unfortunate. For CEN
turies in most European countries Thurs
day of holy week was observed in this
way in commcmoration Of ClSist's act
when on the day before his cruci6Xion he
washed the feet Of his disciples and bade
them love one another. Thus up to the
time of King James II the king or queen
of England gathered together on Holy
Thursday number of paupers, equal to
the years Of his age, and washed and
anointed their feet with oil. Queen Eliz-
abeth, for instance, when in her thirty
ninth year washed the feet of 80 people,
Even up to the present time the emperor
Of Austria observes the old custom, and
in Rome the women Of the nobility still
wait upon the poor in the same way. On
the same day the pope washes the feet of
13 priests, who are dressed in white and
wear high white caps. Twelve of the
priests represent the 12 apostles, while
the thirteenth typifes an angel. After
this ceremony is over meal is served in
a large room over the portico Of st. Pc
ter's at which the holy father himself
waits upon the guests.
In Russia Easter is the one great festi-
val Of the year. The Passage From
Darkness to Light, the Opener of the
Gates Of Paradise, the Sanctifier Of the
Faithful, are a few of the names which
the Russians have given to Easter Sun
day. On Saturday night all the churches
and chapels are crowded with people
dressed in new and bright clothes. There
are no seats in Russian churches, so ev-
erybody is obliged either to stand or
kneel. 4 few minutes before midnight
the service begins. After solemn chant
the priests lead the people in procession
all about the church. Then, just at the
stroke Of ~, it is announced from the al
tar that Christ is risen. At the word the
worshiper who stands nearest the officiat-
ing priest lights his candle from that car
ried by the latter. He in turn passes the
light on to the people about him, and in
few minutes the whole building is ablaze
with lights. Then is exchanged the Eas-
ter kiss, which is the most unique Of Eas-
ter customs in Russia.
The whole congregation passes by the
priest, each kissing him three times, once
on the forehead and on either cheek, and
being kissed in return.
The exchange of kisses, followed by
presents of Easter eggs, Is almost univer-
sal among all classes of Russians. In
the boys schools all the pupils are salut-
ed by the head master. Friends and re-
lations kiss each other on the streets, and
the Easter lily takes the place Of the mis-
tletoe among the peasants.
All along the sides of the street on Eas-
ter night saucers containing a lighted
wick and filed with melted tallow are
placed to light the way Of Easter revel-
ers.
In the mountain heights Of the Aus
trian Tyrol bands Of musicians wander
about on Easter eve, climbing from valley
to valley and stopping before every farm
house to sing the Easter carols. The
singers wear bright colored garments,
and their wide brimmed hats are festoon-
ed with flowers and ribbons. AS it grows
dusk they are Joined by bands Of children
who carry faring torches and escort the
minstrels from house to house. The chill
dren also carry baskets, which are filled
with Easter eggs at each farmhouse. AT
the homes Of those who are well off wine
and other refreshments are also set be-
fore the Easter singers.
On the island Of Amorgos, which is the
outlying island in the territory Of Greece,
the Easter celebration centers about the
three sacred silver icons which are kept
in a wonderful monastery.
In days long gone by the people in Eng
land and the clergy used to play together
at ball inside the churches for prizes of
tansy cakes, and within recent times it
has been the custom for the clerk in
some parishes to 60 about on Easter day
distributing small white cakes among the
parishioners, receiving money in return.
In the old English town Of Chester the
practice Of lifting was once carried on in
a much more elegant manner than pre-
vailed elsewhere. The gay gallants of the
town started out in the morning Of Eas-
ter Monday, carrying with them throne
or chair covered with white silk and trim
med with streamers and festoons Of flow
ers. 1t was their privilege to force every
pretty girl they met to take seat in the
throne and then be carried along on the
shoulders Of the revelers until she was
willing to pay a forfeit of kiss to each
Of the men who had made her captive
Chicago Tribune.