Added: 01/07/2006 |
Catholic Church Festival: feel a part of the universeThe world abounds in religions and doctrines. Notwithstanding their difference, each serves the same purpose: to show people that they are not alone and, consequently, develop the norms of behaviour in the surrounding. In a whirlwind of daily problems we often forget about our soul, which longs for serenity, and here religion is called for help. Though having its particular traits, each faith is the way to eternal peace and harmony.
There is an old tradition to make festivals in the period of religious holidays. As there exist a great many sacred holidays, religious festivals are not also left behind astonishing with rich variety. Each religious festival is always bright and remarkable in its own way, and from year to year people try to make the events more and more admiring. Of course, not all the festivals are celebrated all around the globe, but some holidays being central in a particular religion are world-famous. If remember Muslims, their great festival is Mawlid; the most respectable event of Buddhists is Vassa; Navrati festival is highly honored by the Hindu.
When talked about Christianity, the most prominent and important Orthodox and Catholic Church Festival is Easter. It usually takes place in March, April or May and means the Jesus` Resurrection. This holiday is known by a set of traditions kept very carefully, and the main one is Paschal Vigil. It starts on the night of the Holy Saturday - or the Silent Saturday, as it's sometimes called - and lasts till dawn.
The rite is really amazing. Only imagine: a dark majestic temple, beautiful music sounds, which seem to go down from the sky, and twinkling light of a big Paschal Candle to symbolize the Risen Christ. If you visit it just once you will never forget either your thoughts and impressions or the slightest details of this Catholic Church Festival. The night service also includes reading of some parts of the Old Statement. Of course, there is certain disparity between the Paschal Vigil ceremonies in different churches, but it's not of importance.
One more worldwide celebrated Catholic Church Festival is the Day of All Saints. Its date is November 1, when all the saint and martyrs are remembered. Each country has its own traditions related to this Catholic Church Festival, one being in common: this day people visit the graves of their deceased relatives praying, laying flowers and lighting candles. It is a very moving custom compliant to the gravity of the event.
The All Saints Day begins right after the night of the Halloween festival. Halloween is a very loud, merry and, as a result, very popular festival, which is celebrated on the night of October 31. People decorate their houses especially for this holiday and cheer like children, while the latter wear special fancy dresses and go door-to-door collecting candies.
The symbol of the Halloween festival is Halloween Pumpkin, called Jack-o'-Lantern. Made of a big pumpkin, it has a cut face and a candle inside, so it looks like a true scaring ghost. House decorations also include a deal of fearful elements - skeletons, blood spots and even sound effects, but all of this is simply intended to make the holiday more impressive and funny.
There exist lots of religious festivals round the world, and all of them are definitely fascinating. So, if you lack bright emotions just wait for the festival devoted to your religion or visit that of another faith. You are sure to enlarge the store of positive feelings and precious recollections so indispensable in our busy lives.
Article comments:
No comments for this article yet. Post your comment now!
