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Today's Holy-day Art (EASTER) by Tony Melendez

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS 
By Ernest Disney-Britton
"Mary Magdalene on Easter Morning" by Tony Melendez
Easter (Paschal or Latinized version of Passover) is the oldest and greatest festival of the Christian church.
  • Significance: The day commemorates, and celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day following his crucifixion on Good Friday.
  • Observances: The Easter festival is kept in many different ways by Christians. The traditional, liturgical observation of Easter, as practised among Roman Catholics and some Lutherans and Anglicans begins on the night of Holy Saturday with the Easter Vigil beginning in total darkness of the night before, and with the blessing of the Easter fire.
  • Length: One day.
  • Date: It is not always held on the same date. Easter can therefore come as early as March 22 or as late as April 25. In 325 AD the church council of Nicaea decided that it should be celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox of March 21.
  • Customs: The custom of giving eggs at Easter time has been traced back to Egyptians, Persians, Gauls, Greeks and Romans, to whom the egg was a symbol of life. The traditional act of painting eggs is called Pysanka. Within the African American community, Easter is a big day for new clothes. Candy is a relatively recent Easter tradition. Chocolate eggs, the most popular Easter candy, were first made in Europe in the early 1800s. Prior to candy, hot cross buns and pretzels where the Easter treat. (View A&O Easter Traditions)
  • Symbols: The white lily, the symbol of the resurrection, is the special Easter flower. Note the lily placed by Mary Magdalene (above). Also, the newly baptized wear white garments, white being the liturgical color of Easter and signifying light, purity, and joy.
  • Interfaith Links: Easter has its roots in the Jewish feast of Passover and is a moveable celebration day. It is also linked to Pagan traditions, such as the celebrations of the Saxon goddess Eostre.
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Comments

Anonymous said…
It impressses me how Christianity has flipped so many Pagan, and also Jewish traditions to fit with, and bolster its own belief systems. I think that's a noble thing to do rather than forcing people to reject other practices, instead show how that fit better within a new framework. Today was begun by EOSTRE, the Saxon goddess and I'm having a great day because it now celebrates the renewal of the Christian spirit through Jesus's resurrection.

I am also lifted by Tony Melendez's painting of Mary Magdalene on the day of the resurrection. This Naive painter focuses only on inspirational moments in mystical history, and I am one of his biggest fans. He's definitely on the list for a future INSPIRE ME! Artist of Month.

Lastly, I am just in from a very nice service at LifeJourney Church today. It was packed too. Yes, there are quite a few Easter Christians, and this service was full of Pentecostal fervor. Next up is dinner with Pastor Jackson in Morristown, IN.
Sun Apr 08, 01:52:00 PM EDT
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