The Ordway new era., 1912-04-05

&Zy celebrated in honor Of
r. Eastre. the Saxon >, goddess
OF spring. Then It became
identified with the Jewish passover,
and, about IS a. d.. wns Instituted rs
a Christian festival.
There are many quaint customs in
celebration OF Easter In countries
where superstition still holds sway
over the minds OF the people. In
Spain. Portugal and most OF South
America. Judas. the betrayer. plays
prominent part In the proceedings
OF Easter. and Holy Saturday Is n day
which Is devoted almost entirely to
maltreating his efiigy
Execution Of Judas.
On Good Friday the shopkeepers are
busy all day selling Judases. OF every
stze and shape. by the dozens. to men.
lowing morning the whole community
is transposed into place OF execu-
ton. Ropes are stretched across the
streets from house to house. and on
them are strung Judases filled with
straw and gunpowder. black and very
ugly as they sway in the sunlight.
A few minutes before IL O'Clock
there Is n hush over all the place. ana
then ms tho church bells toll out tho
noon hour sudden frenzy seizes the
people and every Judas is cut down
and hurled into flames amid wild
shouts Of rejoicing. and pandemonium
rcigns supreme.
In Cuba and other Spanish-Ameri-
nsvkn f,
tom which almost outrivals those OF
other places. At an appointed hour
on Easter morning the cathedral
doors are thrown open for the resur.
rcctcd Saviour to pass out. This Is a
waxen figure OF Christ with open
wounds cxposed) seated upon
draped platform, beneath which may
be seen the legs OF the score OF monks
who carry II. Following 10 long line
OF priests bearing crosses and many
candles.
This odd procession passes down
tho sunlit street until at n given point
It Is met by n second figure. borne on
the shoulders OF four priests. This
most gorgeous nncry. II Is Mary Mag
dalene coming to meet her Lord after
his resurrection.
Like the Biblical Story.
There is n sudden halt OF both fig-
urcs. and then Mary turns and has.
tens away. tho eight legs beneath
Xailoping furiously in order that II
may be seen how fast the repcntant
one is hurrying to spread the news OF
the risen Christ. As she goes she is
met by third figure. deckcd in yel-
low satin and crowned with gold. ana
this Is the Virgin Mary. The two
pause. md then turn to meet the nd.
vancing Saviour. When they do reach
him they bow repeatedly and then
the procession solcmnly returns to the
church. passing through rows OF sol.
dicrs who. rs they enter its doors.
fire a salute, and the music ends with
a great flourish.
In this modern and progressive
world this quaint custom seems most
primitive. but the glamor OF 1t all
brings such Joy to these people that
a sojourner with them at this season
cannot but be impressed with their
simple faith.
Tho ceremony OF holy fire within
the Church OF the Holy Sepulcher.
Palestine. Is n very remarkable prac-
tice and ono against which the pope
vigorously protests, but the Greek
church declares It is an annually re-
curing miracle. On Holy Saturday
with the church crowded almost to
sufYocntion. ail lights are extinguished.
and one OF the Greek patriarchs opens
the service by circiing three times
around the sepulcher. followed by the
bishops (nll OF them clad in rich
robes, nil praying ferventiy that the
fire may be sent down from heaven.
The Blessed Flame.
Tho Patriarch then enters the sep.
tuichcr alone and for n moment ali
rs dark. when suddenly through the
holes in the wall light appears and
the priests. standing in front OF them.
hand In candles. These they receive
again lighted and they are sent BY
chosen messengers to Bethlehem. Naz.
arcth md aii over Palestine. As they
pass through the congregation to the