Easter Crosses Food Recipes Cooking International Guide
Easter Crosses Signify Crucifixion Of Christ
By Katerina Octanova
Easter crosses, in the most general terms, are simply the symbols
used in Christianity to signify both the crucifixion of Christ
and the Christian faith in general. Logically and emotionally
speaking, you would not necessarily think it proper, that an ancient
instrument of torture would become the symbol of a faith meant
to give hope to the lost.
But over the centuries this object has become venerated, as it
represents the sacrifice Christ is said to have made for the sins
of the world. Because of the belief in His resurrection after
completing this divine feat, the cross has become the very meaning
of Easter.
Crosses Are An Integral Part Of Easter
As a result, even while these symbols stand for Christianity
in general at all times of the year, Easter crosses in particular
automatically take on greater significance.
In the Indian Orthodox Church, which is a branch of Christianity
that is said to have been founded by the Apostle Thomas himself
on his travels, these crosses are an integral part of the Easter
devotional atmosphere from beginning to end.
During the whole Lent period the crosses in each of these churches
are covered with a veil and moved to the center of their own church,
where people kiss them as they enter and as they leave. This is
just the beginning of the object’s long Easter career.
Carrying The Cross On Good Friday
On Good Friday, the chief celebrants of the Easter Vigil carry
their Easter crosses in processions that commemorate Christ’s
carrying of His own cross. Then these crosses are symbolically
"buried," each one in a box shaped like a coffin, behind
the altar of their particular church.
On Easter Sunday, the celebrant of the church lifts the cross
with a red veil covering it, and announces the resurrection of
Jesus Christ. The bells of the church are rung, and the congregation
responds, and the announcement and response are then repeated
twice more.
The Feast Of Ascension
The officiants at the celebration now carry the Easter crosses
around the church building in a great procession. At the end of
the service the people of the congregation are touched and blessed
by the crosses, before the sacred symbols are removed and set
on their heads in the sanctuary to await the Feast of Ascension.
The Indian Orthodox churches take what began as instruments of
torture and turn them into very powerful Easter devotional symbols.
The believers in these churches may have the most personal, intimate
relationship with the crosses of any Christians.
About the Author:
Katerina Octanova has written a number of articles on food and
cooking including Christmas
Gift Baskets, The
Christmas, Christmas,
Santa
Claus, Christmas
Hamper, Christmas
Party, Christmas
Gift For The Office, Christmas
Gift Idea For Family.
Keep a lookout for more of her articles on this website.
Did You Know?
How do people celebrate Christian Easter?
People celebrate Christian Easter in a variety
of ways. Some dress up and attend church services. Some hold huge
family gatherings where everyone eats and catches up with one
another. There really is no right and wrong way to celebrate the
day.
It is up to your own personal beliefs on
how you celebrate it. One person may only attend religious services
on certain holidays. Another may attend regularly. Some celebrate
with colored eggs and chocolates. Easter is celebrated differently
across the world.
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