Mar 26 2005
Passiontide (Christian)
UK Vacation 10
Passiontide is the last 2 weeks of Lent. Lent describes a 40 day period of ‘fasting’ before the Thursday prior to the Easter weekend. The 40 days is an acknowledgement of the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness. The word “Breakfast” is quite literally what is says ‘Break fast’ indicating that it is the first food after a ‘fast’. In this case the fast is the inactivity and lack of eating that happens overnight. In the morning we break our inactivity and fasting with a meal. Breakfast. During Lent the Catholic church covers its statues and crucifixes with purple linen cloths. The purple has been explained in different ways. It was an expensive dye, so it is often called the colour of Kings. In this context it appears to be a reminder to Christians that they should repent, called the colour of ‘penitance’. Covering the statues and crucifixes appears to serve the dual purpose of ’fasting’ of the eyes, and reminding worshipers that they should repent their sins. The picture below shows a covered statue in St Stephens College Oxford.
Passiontide (Christian)
