The Green Forest tribune., 1909-04-09

E2a S2S ES stand more prominently on EySEASa the page of history than any others. Throughout all the mutations and vicissitudes that have entered into the worlds history during the past two thousand years the two fes- tivals that commemorate respectively the birth and the resurrection of the Man of Nazareth still shine with lus- ter that remains unfaded after the lapse of two centuries.
 The Christian festival of Easter is not only celebration of great an tiquity, but many of it's popular ob- servances are clearly of pagan origin. In northern Germany the ancient Teu- tons were accustomed to celebrate the feast of the Goddess Ostara, who was the personification of morning, or the east, and also of the opening year, or spring This custom continued to be observed down to the beginning of the present century. The pagan rites in- stituted by the Germans were brought into England by the Saxons, and un- der the name of Easter the Teuton di- vinity was honored by the Anglo-Sax- ons with joy and feasting about the same season of the year that the Christian Easter festival arrives
 It was about the year 6S A. D. that the formal institution of the celebra- tion of the day by Christians took place. To the followers of the Risen Lord the heather season of rejoicing at the rising of the natural sun and the awakening of nature at the death of winter was easily suggestive of joy at the rising of the Son of Righteous ness-the resurrection of Christ from the tomb. It also followed as a. natural result that the devout adherents of the Christ in their reverence for the day upon which was performed the greatest and most sublime of miracles should continue to set it apart each week as a day for divine worship, to the utter exclusion of the Sabbath of the Decalogue.
 The rites and ceremonies that char acteriZe the celebration of the Easter festival, although modified somewhat In this age, still retain many of the features that marked it in earlier years. In the early church the cere- monies lasted eight days Courts of | justice were closed and aims were dis | pensed in the churches to the poor | and needy Popular sports, farc'cal exhibitions and dancing were indulged in. These latter frivolities, however, were abolished by the reformers of the sixteenth century. Our Anglo-Saxon ancestors held daily services in the churches from Palm Sunday to the be- ginning of the Easter festival. People saluted each other with the Easter kiss and the words "Ex Surrexit" Gle has risen), to which greeting the reply Were SurreXit" Gle is risen indeed) The chief solemnity of the occasion was the celebration of the Lords sup | per.
 In Russia Easter Sunday is holi- day that exceeds all others. At mid night of Saturday a metropolitan or priest, preceded by a cross-bearer and boy bearing holy water, vessels and candles, and followed by solemn pro- | cession, issues from the church and going round the wall sprinkles it with holy water. He then pronounces a benediction upon thousands of large, round, gilded loaves, pyramids of but ter with palms stuck in them, and eggs in great quantities. This cere- | mony signals the close of Lent, and ,lshers in Easter Sunday. Joyful | voices of the faithful are heard crying ftN risen) and the response: 'He is risen indeed" The kiss upon either cheek Is then given by all; this salute being given and received by emperor and serf alike.