Easter Monday

9 April 2012

As we are finished with our Lenten Journey of 40 Days of Stories, I will be posting interesting tidbits of information to mark the Easter Season.

Today's topic: EASTER EGGS

Easter eggs are seen by many non-believers as a throw-back to pagan ritual, thereby negating the importance of the season. But our Eastern brothers and sisters of the Byzantine Rite may have a different take on the subject. There is a legend that Mary Magdalene went to Rome after Jesus' death and resurrection. There, she went to Tiberius to chastise him about how Jesus had been treated and to share with him the wonderful news of Jesus' resurrection. Upon hearing the story, Tiberius said that Jesus had no more risen from the dead as that egg is red. Mary had used an egg as an example of the empty tomb. No sooner had Tiberius said these words did the egg turn red..hence our Easter eggs are reminiscent of this legend. The egg also harkens to the Passover Plate....the symbol for rebirth as seen by thousands through the years.

Readings for the Day:
     Acts 2:14, 22-33
     Psalm 16
     Matthew 28:8-15

Collect for the Day:
"O God, who give constant increase to your Church by new offspring, grant that your servants may hold fast in their lives to the Sacrament they have received in faith. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever Amen."