The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1919-04-10

the purpose In the side of the holy tomb. 1t Is
then made use of TO light candles with which every
vorshiper is equipped. The intention is 10 SYM
bolize the descent of the Holy Spirit. The candles
kept sacred relics and are reighted only at
marriages, births and deaths.
The reception of the fire is the work of the
patriarch. He appears at the head of gorgeous
procession of observation-disclosures, archbishops
and priests. He leads his followers three times
around the holy tomb and enters when passing the
doorway the third time leaving his followers
standing by Shortly after the 'holy fire" appears
through the opening in the form of blazing
torch. Men have been appointed to snatch the
torch. These light their own candles and pass Ii
on to their neighbours every burning candle be-
a train leading the sacred fire to a hun
dred others. Robert Hichens' description of the
scene Is in part this
1T came at last. With fierce gesture as Of
savage exultatiOn the long-haired priest Withdrew
his arm from the hole and held up great bunch
OF flaming candles. And then delirium seized the
e-packed thousands. All the mouths opened to
let ont yells, shrieks and the wild titterngs of
women All the gesticulated with frenzy
toward the smoky yellow flames. All the bodies
struggled desperately, cruelty to get to them. And
the priest dipped his torch. and suddenly fire be-
gan to rush through the great church. The patr
arch tore out of the holy sepulcher and fell In
the Greek cathedral with the fire In his hands,
From the balconies near the blue star-spangled
dome masses OF candles We're let down by long
cords, lighted by priests below and
drawn up flaming Fire enclrcled thes rotunda
three tiers of fire. /. Through the glare the
smoke the roaring the procession bishops
and priests, accompanied by soldiers, by acolytes
by banner bearers, by canvasses beating the floor
with their slaves. Down the avenue OF
banners and muskets and torches came bearded
and long-haired men In magnificent vestments.
and the gorgeous Armenians. almost like
ing idols, clad in the Jewels of their wonderful
treasury: and the witheredlooklng Copts and the
astounding AbyssinIans, In magenta, with partly
shaved heads and great tufts of coarse hair like
the gaudy puppets that people nightmare
From time mmemorial tho Christians OF Jeru-
salem have observed the events of Christs passion.
death and resurrection In complete and dramatic
fashion, and IL from Jerusalem that Easter
customs spread to other parts of the world. The
earliest record of these observances is In $50. AT
that time the Christians strove TO realize by APP
Iropriate ceremony and ritual the events OF the
last acts In the life Of Jesus. Each event
memorated far possible on the spot Of its
occurrence. The proper passages from the Gospel
were read and appropriate prayers were said as
the clergy and people went In procession from
place to place-Bethany Gethsemane Golgotha.
the sepulcher and Olvet. IL was during the mid
die ages that the character OF the ceremonies
changed greatly. taking spectacular features
which have persisted 20 the present day
Tradition with more or less accuracy has fixed
the course OF the Via Doorosa and the Ia stations
at which, the chief events the way TO the cross
occurred. II is followed by thousands of visitors
ca Easter week.
Easter Is The principal festival Of the Christian