Phillips County herald., 1922-04-14
Easter Here
and Abroad

cemetery outside thrOnged with pe0-
pie, many Of them there since the night
before, all of them watching, waiting,
for the sudden glad burst of music
from the marching choristers who
will come to herald in the sunrise an
nouncing that Christ is Risen!"
For two days these Moravians have
kept celebration. On Friday at 10 80
they gathered for the beginning of
services which progressed in dramatic
intensity through the events of Black
Friday, till at o'clock, the hour of
the crucifiXion, they knelt to the toll
ing bell and the dirge-like chant,
Christ is Dead" Later at vespers
the Vigil of the Paschal Lamb was OBJ
served, and the Saturday services
We're eliminated by Love Feast dur
ing which buns and coffee were served
by black-robed priests and the night
watch began, the end of which was to
usher in the glad tidings which they
now acclaim. "Christ is Riseu."
Universal Celebration.
At the same hour, In every civilized
country in the world, some version of
the great religious drama Of the ages
is being enacted with solemn music,
lighted candles, the odor Of lilies and
prayer. That Is why 1t is almost
shock at first to realize that the East
er celebration did not originate with
the crucifixion Of Christ. but antedates
his birth by many centuries. Its origin
is lost in the dim distance OF remote
antiquity and Its name even Is that Of
Eastre, Ostare, the AnglO-Saxo god
dess of Spring to whom the fourth
month was dedicated and called ''East-
er month"; According to Canon We
nable of the Church Of England. the
keeping of Easter was made church
custom only after popular usage
had sanctioned and dignified 1T. The
epmmemoration of the passion Of
Christ was later Identified with 1t. as
was the Jewish Feast OF the Passover.
The Persians at the same season OBJ
serve their Renewal of the Year"
when the'"Sun Of Justice, the Savior
of the World over Death is resurrect-
ed" 1t was also the first month Of
the year with the Druids. and the
worldwide custom of Easter fires
dates back to the primitive worship Of
the seasons. MS does much of the
worldwide watching for the Easter
Sunrise, when the golden orb leaps
three times in Joy" us even the canny
Scots who watch Its reflection In
basin Of water. will aver that It does.
Easter Sunday In Russia.
But the universal significance of the
vicarious sacrifices and the emerging
through a season Of abnegation. into
new being. deepens rather than takes
from the religious holiday. which is
never so devoutly kept rs In Russia.
Along deserted thoroughfares OF little
villages, or shoulder to shoulder with
tho throngs surging through city
streets. in somber darkness go old and
young. high and low at midnight on
Easter. "Yea. Christ is risen" their
challenge comes ringing back through
empty space or ripping In hundred
echoes from the thick packed masses
of devotees. On Good Friday they
have all followed the black coffin
through the streets to the mournful
music OF the military bands and her.
aided by n crepe-draped crucifix. Now
they press on. enter the church which
is dark as the outslde-darker. They
kneel, huddIe together. they wait.
Presently down the center aisle a
lighted lantern borne nloft or pole
comes. followed by the crucifix and
white clad priests. peering right and
left through the darkness. They are
the PROCESSION Of Scarchers for the
Body" They rench the altar; they.
too. kneei. rhey wait.
Then comes the sound OF shufYling
feet nenrer and nearer" an eye wilt.
ness described II. suddenly the
doors are pounded from without rap
Idly and incessnntly-a profane sound
that startlcs the stiffness Into awaken
Ing life The kneclIng figures nj the
nItnr listen. rise and hurry down the
aisle The doors arc flung open and n
long procession enters. each bearing u
lighted cnndlc-followed by the choir
chanting the glad news. From the
tnpers ms the priests pass. people near
est in the hcnylng crowd Hight their
candles. Flame IL passed up and
down from hand TO hand. A trail OF
fire flowers springs forth from the dusk
MS though by magic until the gloom
llghtcns 10 rosy glow. the glow TO n
sudden blaze Of brilIinnce that CLEANS
on the Jewel burdcncd ikons-on sen
of faces"
Bella Ring In Easter.
In Moscow the bells of the Krcmiln
~tng forth suddenly nj midnight In
menrthly sweetness. the tower Is II.
lumInn,cd from base to cross at tho
top. throwing n radiant Hight around
the masses of kncellng humanity wait.
Ing there. nnd on the mountainous
piles OF cakes, cnch with cnndlc
stuck Into II waiting TO be blessed.
Ia ftnua tao tha tnY A.. ,,.ti.r.t f,,