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128-526: This festival lasts for 9 days. It starts on the third Saturday of Lent and it was declared a Fiesta of International Tourist Interest in 2010. Next celebrations The first day of the Magdalena Festival is the third Saturday of Lent. Considering that the first day of Lent (since the First Council of Nicaea in 325) is the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox,

256-476: A Lenten sacrifice , in which Christians give up a personal pleasure for the duration of 40 days, is a traditional practice during Lent. During Shrovetide and especially on Shrove Tuesday , the day before the start of the Lenten season, many Christians finalize their decision with respect to what Lenten sacrifices they will make for Lent. Examples include practicing vegetarianism and teetotalism during Lent as

384-672: A Lovefeast on Good Friday as they receive Holy Communion on Maundy Thursday . Communicants of the Moravian Church practice the Good Friday tradition of cleaning gravestones in Moravian cemeteries . Holy Saturday is the day between the crucifixion of Jesus and his resurrection. As the Sabbath day , the Gospel accounts all note that Jesus was hurriedly buried in a cave tomb after his crucifixion, with

512-459: A Lenten sacrifice. While making a Lenten sacrifice, it is customary to pray for strength to keep it; many often wish others for doing so as well, e.g. "May God bless your Lenten sacrifice." In addition, some believers add a regular spiritual discipline, to bring them closer to God, such as reading a Lenten daily devotional . For Catholics, Lutherans, Moravians, Anglicans, United Protestants, and Lent-observing Methodists and Reformed Christians,

640-571: A Lenten spiritual discipline, such as reading a daily devotional or praying through a Lenten calendar , to draw themselves near to God . Often observed are the Stations of the Cross , a devotional commemoration of Christ's carrying the Cross and crucifixion . Many churches remove flowers from their altars and veil crucifixes , religious statues that show the triumphant Christ, and other elaborate religious symbols in violet fabrics in solemn observance of

768-730: A basket in the narthex to collect the previous year's Holy Week palm branches that were blessed and distributed during the Palm Sunday liturgies; on Shrove Tuesday, churches burn these palms to make the ashes used during the services held on the very next day, Ash Wednesday. In historically Lutheran nations, Shrovetide is known as Fastelavn . After attending the Mass on Shrove Sunday , congregants enjoy Shrovetide buns (fastelavnsboller), "round sweet buns that are covered with icing and filled with cream and/or jam." Children often dress up and collect money from people while singing. They also practice

896-564: A choir inside the open doors of the church sings the Miserere by Manoel Dias de Oliveria, while the black box is brought inside the church, and people come in to kiss the human-sized figure of Christ. Processions on Tuesday and Wednesday stop at different chapels at each of which a large painting portrays episodes of the Way of the Cross and a related hymn is sung at each. On Thursday morning the Chrism Mass

1024-761: A church). The Mass of the Lord's Supper commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with his Twelve Apostles , "the institution of the Eucharist , the institution of the priesthood , and the commandment of brotherly love that Jesus gave after washing the feet of his disciples." All the bells of the church , including altar bells, may be rung during the Gloria in Excelsis Deo of the Mass (the Gloria

1152-536: A clue as to a task Jesus performed during this period between death and resurrection: "By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison." This marks the beginning of the season of Eastertide , with its first week being known as Easter Week (Bright Week) . Holy Week liturgies generally attract the largest crowds of the year. Many Christian cultures have different traditions such as special liturgies or services, floats, sculptures or live reenactments of Christ's life, his arrest and crucifixion (also called

1280-584: A descendant of Arabic, the term Randan is used, which is distinctive when compared to the dialects of Arabic. Despite the centuries of Catholic influences, the term remains unchanged since the Arab occupation of Malta . The pattern of fasting and praying for 40 days is seen in the Christian Bible , on which basis the liturgical season of Lent was established. In the Old Testament , the prophet Moses went into

1408-655: A last opportunity for excess before Lent begins. Some of the most famous are the Carnival of Barranquilla , the Carnival of Santa Cruz de Tenerife , the Carnival of Venice , Cologne Carnival , the New Orleans Mardi Gras , the Rio de Janeiro carnival , and the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival . In stark contrast to traditions of merrymaking and feasting, Oriental Orthodox Churches practice a pre-Lenten fast in preparation for Lent which

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1536-474: A member of the First Central Board of Celebration, defined the gaiata as " a burst of light, with no fire or smoke ". The gaiatas are monuments that are usually bout 19 feet high and resemble the lanterns that the inhabitants of Castellón used to find their way through the marshy ground at night. Also, the term gaiata refers to each of the 19 districts or neighbourhoods into which the city of Castellón

1664-516: A period of fasting before Pascha [Easter]). However it is known that the 40-day period of fasting – the season later named Lent – before Eastertide was clarified at the Nicene Council. In 363-64 AD, the Council of Laodicea prescribed the Lenten fast as "of strict necessity". The 40 days of Lent are calculated differently among the various Christian denominations that observe it, depending on how

1792-491: A period of forty days and forty nights...merited to extinguish the prolonged and severe dryness of the whole world, doing so with a stream of rain and steeping the earth's dryness with the bounty of water from heaven", in the Christian tradition, this is interpreted as being "a figure of ourselves so that we, also fasting a total of forty days, might merit the spiritual rain of baptism...[and] a shower from heaven might pour down upon

1920-464: A pontifical decree of Pope Alexander VI . Until 1741, meat and lacticinia were otherwise forbidden for the whole season of Lent, including Sundays. In that year, Pope Benedict XIV allowed for the consumption of meat and lacticinia during certain fasting days of Lent. Abstinence from alcohol during the season of Lent has traditionally been enjoined "in remembrance of the Sacred Thirst of Our Lord on

2048-570: A practice also kept in other denominations. In the Catholic Church, on this day the private celebration of Mass is forbidden. Thus, apart from the Chrism Mass for the blessing of the Holy Oils that the diocesan bishop may celebrate on the morning of Holy Thursday , but also on some other day close to Easter, the only Mass on this day is the evening Mass of the Lord's Supper , which inaugurates

2176-497: A version based on the Latin term referring to the 40 days (see above), also has a "great fast" version: postul mare . Dutch has three options, one of which means fasting period , and the other two referring to the 40-day period indicated in the Latin term: vastentijd , veertigdagentijd and quadragesima , respectively. In India, it is called चरम चालीसा ( Charam Chalisa - meaning, "climax forty"). In Maltese , despite being

2304-508: A very loud coordinated firecracker display, which is prepared by the winners of the previous year's pyrotechnic competition and takes place in Plaza del Primer Molí ; it lasts between 10 and 15 minutes. Alongside the fireworks is a special wreath and flower laying ceremony that the Festival Queen attends on the monument to King James I, regarded as the grandfather of the city and the one who gave

2432-915: Is chanted or recited. Tenebrae liturgies are celebrated by some parishes of the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church , the Polish National Catholic Church , the Lutheran Churches , the Moravian Church , the Anglican Communion , the Methodist Churches , and Western Rite Orthodoxy within the Eastern Orthodox Church . Maundy Thursday (also known as Holy Thursday) commemorates the Last Supper , where Christ lays out

2560-408: Is 29 February; the coincidence of the events on 29 February in each respective century. The opening day of the festival is dedicated to the province of Castellon and its people. The festivities begin at 12:00 noon , when commemorative fireworks are set off; the number of fireworks reflects the number of years that have passed since the celebration of the festival. This is followed by a mascletà ,

2688-476: Is a display which consists of illuminating el Fadrí , the tower in the centre of Castellón, with a pyrotechnic display. The most important day of the Magdalena Festival. Festival Sunday starts with the ringing of the "Vicent" bell at 5:30 am at El Fadri, and Masses are held in the Minor Basilica and other churches to pray for the safety of the pilgrimage party as it leaves the city proper. As mentioned in

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2816-610: Is a period of grief that necessarily ends with a great celebration of Easter . Thus, it is known in Eastern Orthodox circles as the season of "bright sadness" ( Greek : χαρμολύπη , romanized :  charmolypê ). The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer for Easter through prayer , mortifying the flesh , repentance of sins, almsgiving , simple living , and self-denial . In Lent, many Christians commit to fasting , as well as giving up certain luxuries in imitation of Christ 's sacrifice during his journey into

2944-598: Is also related. According to the Oxford English Dictionary , 'the shorter form (? Old Germanic type * laŋgito - , * laŋgiton -) seems to be a derivative of * laŋgo - long […] and may possibly have reference to the lengthening of the days as characterizing the season of spring'. The origin of the - en element is less clear: it may simply be a suffix , or lencten may originally have been a compound of * laŋgo - 'long' and an otherwise little-attested word *- tino , meaning "day". In languages spoken where Christianity

3072-586: Is broken only after the Paschal (Easter) Divine Liturgy. The Eastern Orthodox Church maintains the traditional Church's teaching on fasting. The rules for lenten fasting are the monastic rules. Fasting in the Orthodox Church is more than simply abstaining from certain foods. During the Great Lent Orthodox Faithful intensify their prayers and spiritual exercises, go to church services more often, study

3200-519: Is celebrated, with a blessing of the oils. Good Friday afternoon ceremonies are followed by the week's main spectacle of the Taking Down from the Cross in front of the cathedral followed by the Funeral Procession of Our Dead Lord. The drama shows Christ being taken from the cross and placed in a coffin, which is then taken around to the accompaniment of the "Song of Veronica". On Saturday morning

3328-424: Is celebrated. On the final day of the season, Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras , many traditional Christians, such as Catholics , Lutherans , Anglicans , and Methodists "make a special point of self-examination, of considering what wrongs they need to repent, and what amendments of life or areas of spiritual growth they especially need to ask God's help in dealing with." During Shrovetide, many churches place

3456-415: Is commanded. Dionysius Alexandrinus in his canonical epistle (AD 260), refers to the 91 fasting days implying that the observance of them had already become an established usage in his time. There is some doubt about the genuineness of an ordinance attributed to Roman Emperor Constantine , in which abstinence from public business was enforced for the seven days immediately preceding Easter Day, and also for

3584-818: Is commemorated on Good Friday, and at the beginning of the next week the joyful celebration of Easter, the start of the Easter season , which recalls the Resurrection of Jesus . In some Christian denominations, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday form the Easter Triduum . The English word Lent is a shortened form of the Old English word lencten , meaning " spring season ", as its Dutch language cognate lente ( Old Dutch lentin ) still does today. A dated term in German , Lenz ( Old High German lenzo ),

3712-446: Is customary to have a blessing of palm leaves or other branches, for example olive branches. The blessing ceremony includes the reading of a Gospel account of Jesus humbly riding into Jerusalem on a donkey, reminiscent of a Davidic victory procession, and people placing palm and other branches on the ground before him. Immediately following this great time of celebration over the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem, he begins his journey to

3840-511: Is described as lasting for a total duration of 40 days, the number of days Jesus, as well as Moses and Elijah , went without food in their respective fasts. In Lent-observing Western Christian denominations, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends approximately six weeks later; depending on the Christian denomination and local custom, Lent concludes either on the evening of Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday), or at sundown on Holy Saturday , when

3968-700: Is divided for the festival: During the festival, each district exhibits its gaiata in its central square. In 2010, a cultural association named "Colla L'Esvaró" with over 20 members, was the first colla to produce a seven feet tall gaiata . As noted in the local newspaper Periódico Mediterraneo on March 5, 2010 [9] , this gaiata was conceived by Carlos Benítez Barbero, a student of the course "Arts Decoratives del Món de la Festa de Castelló" and at "l'Escola d'art i Superior de Disseny de Castelló" (a higher education college of art and design in Castellón). In 2011, Carlos Benítez Barbero and Javier Granell Vives also created

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4096-667: Is followed by a psalm or canticle (such as Exodus 15:1–18 and a prayer relating what has been read to the Mystery of Christ. After the Old Testament readings conclude, the Gloria in excelsis Deo , which has been suspended during Lent, is intoned and bells are rung. A reading from the Epistle to the Romans is proclaimed. The Alleluia is sung for the first time since the beginning of Lent. The Gospel of

4224-518: Is gone. The lamp or candle usually situated next to the tabernacle denoting the presence of Christ is blown out. In the Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian traditions, the Easter Vigil, one of the longest and most solemn of liturgical liturgies, lasts up to three or four hours, consists of four parts: The Liturgy begins after sundown on Holy Saturday as the crowd gathers inside

4352-529: Is immediately followed by the fast of Great Lent without interruption. There are traditionally 40 days in Lent; these are marked by fasting, both from foods and festivities, and by other acts of penance . Fasting is maintained for all 40 days of Lent (regardless of how they are enumerated; see above ). Historically, fasting and abstinence has been maintained continuously for the weekdays of the whole Lenten season, with Sundays being days of abstinence only. The making of

4480-513: Is no earlier incarnation. Second, that it is based on an Egyptian Christian post- theophany fast. Third, a combination of origins syncretized around the Council of Nicea. There are early references to periods of fasting prior to baptism . For instance, the Didache , a 1st or 2nd-century Christian text, commends "the baptizer, the one to be baptized, and any others that are able" to fast to prepare for

4608-513: Is not traditionally sung on Sundays in Lent). The bells then fall silent and the organ and other musical instruments may be used only to support the singing until the Gloria at the Easter Vigil . The Roman Missal recommends that, if considered pastorally appropriate, the priest should, immediately after the homily, celebrate the rite of washing the feet of customarily twelve men, recalling the number of

4736-614: Is often called an " altar of repose ". In some places, notably the Philippines and Malta, Catholics will travel from church to church praying at each church's altar of repose in a practice called "Visita Iglesia" or Seven Churches Visitation . In Lutheran, Anglican and Methodist churches, the altar has black paraments or the altar cloths are removed altogether. At the conclusion of the Maundy Thursday liturgy in Lutheran Churches,

4864-577: Is reduced." In some countries, such as Malta, Philippines, Italy, and Spain processions with statues representing the Passion of Christ are held. In some parishes of the Anglican Church, Catholic Church, Lutheran Church, and Methodist Church, the " Three Hours Devotion " is observed. This traditionally consists of a series of sermons, interspersed with singing, one on each of the Seven Last Words from

4992-689: Is the Monday after Ash Wednesday. The special Ash Wednesday fast is transferred to the first Friday of the Ambrosian Lent. Until this rite was revised by Saint Charles Borromeo , the liturgy of the First Sunday of Lent was festive, celebrated in white vestments with chanting of the Gloria in Excelsis and Alleluia , in line with the recommendation in Matthew 6:16, "When you fast, do not look gloomy." During Lent,

5120-519: Is the Plaza Mayor, most pilgrims start from Plaza María Agustina (María Agustina Square), which is a typical meeting place and through which the main route passes, with the main dignitaries wearing traditional attire. From there, the pilgrimage goes through several streets of the north side of the city and it continues, along rural paths, until it reaches the Mary Magdalene chapel . Halfway there, one of

5248-605: Is the day of the Offering of Flowers to the patron of the city, the Our Lady of Lledó. One of the most emotive acts of this festival is performed by the men of the Gaiata 1, who make a floral tapestry with the flowers that have been brought by the people who have visited their basilica. For the flower offerers, the route to be taken is the following: Plaza Mayor, Calle Mayor, Plaza Maria Agustina and Avenida de la Mare de Déu del Lledó ending at

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5376-673: Is the same as the traditional 40-day calculation.) In the Byzantine Rite , i.e., the Eastern Orthodox Great Lent (Greek: Μεγάλη Τεσσαρακοστή or Μεγάλη Νηστεία, meaning "Great 40 Days" and "Great Fast" respectively) is the most important fasting season in the church year. The 40 days of Great Lent include Sundays, and begin on Clean Monday . The 40 days are immediately followed by what are considered distinct periods of fasting, Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday , which in turn are followed straightway by Holy Week . Great Lent

5504-544: Is widely observed as a fast day . A Handbook for the Discipline of Lent recommends the Lutheran guideline to "fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday with only one simple meal during the day, usually without meat". Western Catholic Church practice is to have only one full meal with, if needed, two small snacks that together do not make a full meal. The Anglican Communion defines fasting more generically as: "The amount of food eaten

5632-843: The Alexandrian Rite , i.e. , the Coptic Orthodox , Coptic Catholic , Ethiopian Orthodox , Ethiopian Catholic , Eritrean Orthodox , and Eritrean Catholic Churches, observe eight continuous weeks of fasting constituting three distinct consecutive fasting periods: As in the Eastern Orthodox Churches, the date of Easter is typically reckoned according to the Julian calendar , and usually occurs later than Easter according to Gregorian calendar used by Catholic and Protestant Churches. In Ethiopian Orthodoxy, fasting ( tsome ) lasts for 55 continuous days before Easter ( Fasika ), although

5760-486: The Daniel Fast during the season of Lent, in which one abstains from "meat, fish, egg, dairy products, chocolates, ice creams, sugar, sweets, wine or any alcoholic beverages" (cf. Daniel 10:3 ). After attending a worship service (often on Wednesday and Friday evenings), it is common for Christians of various denominations to conclude that day's Lenten fast together through a communal Lenten supper , which may be held in

5888-490: The Easter Vigil is celebrated, though in either case, Lenten fasting observances are maintained until the evening of Holy Saturday. Sundays may or may not be excluded, depending on the denomination. In Eastern Christianity – including Eastern Orthodox , Eastern Catholics , Eastern Lutherans , and Oriental Orthodox – Great Lent is observed continuously without interruption for 40 days starting on Clean Monday and ending on Lazarus Saturday before Holy Week . Lent

6016-525: The Roman Rite Lent starts on Ash Wednesday and ends on the evening of Holy Thursday with the Mass of the Lord's Supper . This comprises a period of 44 days. Historically, the fasting and abstinence were enjoined during the weekdays of Lent and with Sundays being days of abstinence; the obligations of the Lenten fast continue through Good Friday and Holy Saturday, totaling 40 days (with the Eucharistic Fast applying as well). Although Lent formally ends on Holy Thursday, Lenten fasting practices continue until

6144-557: The Romance language group are: Catalan quaresma , French carême , Galician coresma , Italian quaresima , Occitan quaresma , Portuguese quaresma , Romanian păresimi , Sardinian caresima , Spanish cuaresma , and Walloon cwareme . Examples in non-Latin-based languages are: Albanian kreshma , Basque garizuma , Croatian korizma , Irish and Scottish Gaelic carghas , Swahili kwaresima , Filipino kuwaresma , and Welsh c(a)rawys . In other languages,

6272-492: The date of Easter is calculated, but also on which days Lent is understood to begin and end, and on whether all the days of Lent are counted consecutively. Additionally, the date of Lent may depend on the calendar used by the particular church, such as the ( revised ) Julian or Gregorian calendars typically used by Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant churches, or the Ethiopian and Coptic calendars traditionally used by some Oriental Orthodox churches. Since 1970, in

6400-452: The early church was associated with an expectation that the second advent would occur on an Easter Day. Other writings that refer to related traditions of the early Church include, most notably, The Pilgrimage of Etheria (also known as The Pilgrimage of Egeria ), which details the whole observance of Holy Week at that time. Today, in the Western Christian Church , among Lutherans, Anglicans, Methodists, Presbyterians and Catholics,

6528-764: The liturgical year commemorating the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptation by Satan , according to the Gospels of Matthew , Mark and Luke , before beginning his public ministry . Lent is usually observed in the Catholic , Lutheran , Moravian , Anglican , United Protestant and Orthodox Christian traditions, among others. Some Anabaptist , Baptist , Methodist , Reformed (including certain Continental Reformed , Presbyterian and Congregationalist churches), and nondenominational Christian churches also observe Lent, although many churches in these traditions do not. Which days are enumerated as being part of Lent differs between denominations (see below ), although in all of them Lent

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6656-399: The liturgical year is the week immediately before Easter. The earliest allusion to the custom of marking this week as a whole with special observances is to be found in the Apostolical Constitutions (v. 18, 19), dating from the latter half of the 3rd century and 4th century. In this text, abstinence from flesh is commanded for all the days, while for the Friday and Saturday an absolute fast

6784-460: The "lectern and pulpit are [also] left bare until Easter to symbolize the humiliation and barrenness of the cross." Methodist custom holds that apart from depictions of the Stations of the Cross , other images (such as the altar cross) continue the Lenten habitude of being veiled. In the Catholic Church, the altars of the church (except the one used as the altar of repose) are later stripped quite bare and, as much as possible, crosses are removed from

6912-416: The Church discourages marriages, but couples may marry if they forgo the special blessings of the Nuptial Mass and limit social celebrations. The period of Lent observed in the Eastern Catholic Churches corresponds to that in other churches of Eastern Christianity that have similar traditions. In Protestant and Western Orthodox Churches that celebrate it, the season of Lent lasts from Ash Wednesday to

7040-429: The City Band. The only music which can be played at the parade is the classic Rotllo i Canya by concert bands. It starts after la tornà de la romeria . The members of the district "commissions" of gaiata infantil are followed by the members of the commission in charge of the main gaiata in the procession. One of the traditions of this act is les voltetes (the queen dances around her canya ). People ask members of

7168-424: The Cross , together with an introduction and a conclusion. Another pious exercise carried out on Good Friday is that of the Stations of the Cross , either within the church or outside. The celebration at the Colosseum with participation by the pope has become a traditional event. The Novena to the Divine Mercy begins on that day and lasts until the Saturday before the Feast of Mercy . Moravians hold

7296-459: The Cross." Holy Week Holy Week ( Koinē Greek : Ἁγία καὶ Μεγάλη Ἑβδομάς , romanized:  Hagía kaì Megálē Hebdomás , lit.   'Holy and Great Week') is the most sacred week in the liturgical year in Christianity . For all Christian traditions, it is a moveable observance . In Eastern Christianity , which also calls it Great Week , it is the week following Great Lent and Lazarus Saturday , starting on

7424-402: The Deposit. The figure of Our Lord of the Stations, representing the blood-stained Jesus carrying the cross, is brought from the church in a large black box and displayed in the main square. Then it is solemnly taken to the church following a band and a procession of people. Outside the church, a sermon is delivered on the Easter story of Jesus Christ's death and resurrection. After the sermon,

7552-464: The Easter Morning or Easter Sunrise service begun by the Moravians in 1732. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, complete: Palm and Passion Sunday (Latin Dominica in Palmis de Passione Domini ). Traditionally, Palm Sunday commemorates the Triumphal entry into Jerusalem described in all four canonical gospels . As described in these accounts, Christ's entry into Jerusalem was noted by the crowds present who shouted praises and waved palm branches . In

7680-399: The Easter Vigil and additionally, the celebration of Easter is preceded by the Paschal fast. In the Ambrosian Rite , Lent begins on the Sunday that follows what is celebrated as Ash Wednesday in the rest of the Latin Catholic Church , and ends as in the Roman Rite, thus being of 40 days, counting the Sundays but not Holy Thursday. The day for beginning the Lenten fast in the Ambrosian Rite

7808-407: The Easter Vigil liturgically belongs to Easter Sunday. On Holy Saturday, the Church waits at the Lord's tomb, in prayer and fasting, meditating on his Passion and Death and on his Descent into Hell and awaiting his Resurrection. The Church abstains from the Sacrifice of the Mass, with the sacred table left bare, until after the solemn Vigil, that is, the anticipation by night of the Resurrection, when

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7936-418: The Easter Vigil, is the great feast day and apogee of the Christian liturgical year: on this day the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is celebrated. It is the first day of the new season of the Great Fifty Days, or Eastertide , which runs from Easter Day to Pentecost Sunday. The Resurrection of Christ on Easter Day is the main reason why Christians keep every Sunday as the primary day of religious observance. In

8064-408: The Eastertide, remaining in the sanctuary of the Church or near the lectern, and is kept in the baptistry throughout the liturgical year so that in the celebrations of baptisms the candles of the baptized may be lit from the candle. The candles of those present are lit from the Paschal candle. As this symbolic "light of Christ" spreads throughout those gathered, the darkness is decreased. A deacon, or

8192-405: The Episcopal Church, the main U.S. branch of the Anglican Communion, the 1979 Book of Common Prayer identifies Holy Week--comprising Palm/Passion Sunday through Holy Saturday--as a separate season after Lent; but the Days of Special Devotion, to be observed by special acts of discipline and self-denial, include the weekdays of, but not the Sundays in, both Lent and Holy Week, so the practical effect

8320-417: The Hail Mary. It is also the place where the dignitaries going to the Mary Magdalene Chapel and the pilgrims coming back from it meet. At 7:00 pm the pilgrims arrive back in the city, preceded by the carros (motor-driven house-like constructions on wheels) which participate in the pilgrimage. They are followed by little traditional gaiatas, els Cavallers and the dignitaries, who walk in procession as far as

8448-417: The Lenten fast in a positive tone, not as renunciation but as contributing to causes such as environmental stewardship and improvement of health. Even some atheists find value in the Christian tradition and observe Lent. Historically, using the early Christian form known as the Black Fast , the observant does not consume food for a whole day until the evening, and at sunset, Christians traditionally break

8576-438: The Lenten fast of that day with a vegetarian supper (no food or drink is consumed in a day apart from that in the Lenten supper ). In India and Pakistan , many Christians continue this practice of fasting until sunset on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday , with many fasting in this manner throughout the whole season of Lent. Christians of various traditions, including Catholics and Methodists, have voluntarily undertaken

8704-405: The Lenten fast was a 40-day fast that "the entire world" observed. Saint Augustine of Hippo (AD 354–AD 430) wrote that: "Our fast at any other time is voluntary; but during Lent, we sin if we do not fast." Three main prevailing theories exist on the finalization of Lent as a 40-day fast prior to the arrival of Easter Sunday: First, that it was created at the Council of Nicea in 325 and there

8832-406: The Lenten penitential season ends after the Easter Vigil Mass or Sunrise service . Orthodox Christians also break their fast after the Paschal Vigil , a service which starts around 11:00 pm on Holy Saturday, and which includes the Paschal celebration of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom . At the end of the service, the priest blesses cheese, eggs, flesh meats, and other items that

8960-449: The Lord's passion, the Passion of Christ or Passion of Jesus ); the latter are known as Passion Plays , which are often interdenominational productions. In Eastern Rite Churches there are also many means to commemorate the Great Feasts and emphasize the theme of resurrection. Many television channels air films related to Holy Week, such as The Ten Commandments , The Greatest Story Ever Told and The Jesus Film . Holy Week in

9088-428: The Paseo de Lledó, where the Basilica is located. The Magdalena festival week formally ends on Laetare Sunday . Masses are held in the city cathedral and community chapels or churches to mark the conclusion of the festivties on a high note. Two notable events mark the final day of the festival. A pyrotechnic event running through the main streets of the center of Castellón takes place. The most daring run in front of

9216-565: The Passion, either as a self-guided time of reflection and veneration or as a procession of statues or images of the stations. The evening liturgical celebration on Holy Thursday begins the first of three days in the Easter Triduum, which continues in an atmosphere of liturgical mourning throughout the next day, in spite of the name "Good" given in English to the day. For Catholic, Methodist, Lutheran, Reformed and Anglican Christians, Good Friday

9344-527: The Plaza Mayor, together with the festival court and the city band. Next comes the "Penitents' Procession", which is traditionally the first procession of Holy Week in Spain . A High Mass is held at the Basilica to mark the formal return of the pilgrimage group back to Castellon proper. The Gaiatas Parade is part of la tornà de la romería . It allows residents of the city and tourists alike, as well as residents of

9472-608: The Resurrection then follows, together with the Responsorial psalmody . After the conclusion of the Liturgy of the Word, the water of the baptismal font is blessed and any catechumens or candidates for full communion are initiated into the church, by baptism or confirmation . After the celebration of these sacraments of initiation, the congregation renews their baptismal vows and receive

9600-525: The Roman Catholic Church, plenary indulgence is granted once a day by the 1999 Enchiridion Indulgentiarum , in the following cases: Cities famous for their Holy Week processions include: Holy Week has developed into one of Brazil's main symbols of community identity, more specifically in the southern town of Campanha. The Campanha Holy Week begins on the Monday evening with the Procession of

9728-619: The Roman Rite, before 1955 it was known simply as Palm Sunday, and the preceding Sunday as Passion Sunday. From 1955 to 1971 it was called Second Sunday in Passiontide or Palm Sunday. Among Lutherans and Anglicans, the day is known as the Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday. In many liturgical denominations, to commemorate Christ's entry into Jerusalem to accomplish his paschal mystery , it

9856-645: The Scriptures and the works of the Church Fathers in depth, limit their entertainment and spendings and focus on charity and good works. Some other churches that follow the Byzantine Rite , including certain Eastern Catholic and Eastern Lutheran denominations have similar practices as those of Eastern Orthodoxy. Among the Oriental Orthodox , there are various local traditions regarding Lent. Those using

9984-602: The altar candles. Then the deacon or a cantor chants the Exultet , also called the "Easter Proclamation". After that, the people extinguish their candles and sit down for the Liturgy of the Word. The Liturgy of the Word includes nine readings, seven (or at least three) from the Old Testament , followed by two from the New (an Epistle and a Gospel). The reading of the crossing of the Red Sea (Ex 14) must never be omitted. Each Old Testament reading

10112-522: The apostles. In the Catholic Church, Lutheran Churches of Evangelical Catholic churchmanship, and in Anglican churches of an Anglo-Catholic churchmanship, a sufficient number of hosts are consecrated for use also in the Good Friday liturgy, and at the conclusion the Blessed Sacrament is carried in procession to a place of reposition away from the main body of the church, which, if it involves an altar,

10240-439: The celebration. As bells ring, a mascletá (a series of pyrotechnic explosions) is set off to announce the arrival of the pilgrims, who are handed "rotllos" (ring-shaped pretzels). Then, following High Mass said at the chapel to mark the feast of the city, everyone tries a little of an enormous paella which is served following the service to all attending for lunch. Alongside Mass, the pilgrimage party and tourists alike also take

10368-614: The chance to visit the ruins of the Castle of Fadrell nearby. The so-called tornà de la romería had disappeared for some years, but it was recently started again by the Colla El Pixaví. It begins at 3:45 pm at the Mary Magdalene Chapel and stops at every chapel and religious building on the way. The arrival at the Basilica of Our Lady of Lledó is especially emotional, as this is the place where some people pray and where pilgrims sing

10496-428: The church (or veiled in the pre-Vatican II rite), crucifixes and statues are covered with violet covers during Passiontide, but the crucifix covers can be white instead of violet on Maundy Thursday). Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus and his subsequent death. Commemorations of often solemn and mournful, many denominations use Good Friday to perform the Stations of the Cross , or other commemorations of

10624-404: The church's parish hall . Lenten suppers ordinarily take place in the home setting during the 40 days of Lent during which a family (or individual) concludes that day's fast after a mealtime prayer . Fasting has historically included abstinence from alcohol, meat, lacticinia (dairy products), and other edible produce derived from animals (such as eggs), which has been enjoined continuously for

10752-592: The commemoration of the Mystical or Last Supper on Maundy Thursday ( Holy Thursday ) and the Passion of Jesus on Good Friday ( Holy Friday ). Holy Week concludes with Christ's rest in death and descent into hell on Holy Saturday . Christians believe that Jesus rested in death from the ninth hour (3 pm) on Good Friday until just before dawn on Sunday morning, the day of his resurrection from death , commonly known as Easter Sunday. However, in 1 Peter 3:19, there may be

10880-511: The commissions, traditionally girls and now boys only in the children's gaiata section, to do the volteta so that they show their dresses. The Monday following is marked as the Day of the Local Festival and among others the following are held on this day as described below. During the week, a multitude of celebrations are held, the most important of which appear in the following list: Saturday

11008-517: The compulsory stops (according to tradition) is Sant Roc de Canet chapel, where people have a mid-morning snack, for example the typical "figa i doset", and where pilgrims say a prayer. After this long walk, people arrive at the Mary Magdelene Chapel while there has been an advance party that has arrived there by cars or bicycles, as their occupants disembark for the walk to the hill, as well as those who disembarked from RENFE trains to attend

11136-581: The consumption of alcohol. Quartodeciman Christians end the fast of Lent on the Paschal full moon of the Hebrew calendar , in order to celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread beginning on the 14th of Nisan , whence the name derives. For this practice, they were excommunicated in the Easter controversy of the 2nd century A.D. Three traditional practices to be taken up with renewed vigour during Lent; these are known as

11264-527: The cross. The blessing is thus followed by a procession or solemn entrance into the church, with the participants holding the blessed branches in their hands. The liturgy includes the solemn reading of the Passion, the narrative of Christ's capture, suffering and death, as recounted in one of the Synoptic Gospels . (In the Tridentine Mass the Passion is always that of St. Matthew.) Before the reform of

11392-1453: The dates of the Magdalena Festival between 1945 and 2050 are, according to the calculations of M. Armengot (using Gauss's law), as follows: 03/03/1945, 03/23/1946, 03/08/1947, 02/28/1948, 03/19/1949, 03/11/1950, 02/24/1951, 03/15/1952, 03/07/1953, 03/27/1954, 03/12/1955, 03/03/1956, 03/23/1957, 03/08/1958, 02/28/1959, 03/19/1960, 03/04/1961, 03/24/1962, 03/16/1963, 02/29/1964, 03/20/1965, 03/12/1966, 02/25/1967, 03/16/1968, 03/08/1969, 02/28/1970, 03/13/1971, 03/04/1972, 03/24/1973, 03/16/1974, 03/01/1975, 03/20/1976, 03/12/1977, 02/25/1978, 03/17/1979, 03/08/1980, 03/28/1981, 03/13/1982, 03/05/1983, 03/24/1984, 03/09/1985, 03/01/1986, 03/21/1987, 03/05/1988, 02/25/1989, 03/17/1990, 03/02/1991, 03/21/1992, 03/13/1993, 03/05/1994, 03/18/1995, 03/09/1996, 03/01/1997, 03/14/1998, 03/06/1999, 03/25/2000, 03/17/2001, 03/02/2002, 03/22/2003, 03/13/2004, 02/26/2005, 03/18/2006, 03/10/2007, 02/23/2008, 03/14/2009, 03/06/2010, 03/26/2011, 03/10/2012, 03/02/2013, 03/22/2014, 03/07/2015, 02/27/2016, 03/18/2017, 03/03/2018, 03/23/2019, 03/14/2020, 03/06/2021, 03/19/2022, 03/11/2023, 03/02/2024, 03/22/2025, 03/07/2026, 02/27/2027, 03/18/2028, 03/03/2029, 03/23/2030, 03/15/2031, 02/28/2032, 03/19/2033, 03/11/2034, 02/24/2035, 03/15/2036, 03/07/2037, 03/27/2038, 03/12/2039, 03/03/2040, 03/23/2041, 03/08/2042, 02/28/2043, 03/19/2044, 03/11/2045, 02/24/2046, 03/16/2047, 03/07/2048, 03/27/2049, 03/12/2050. It should be highlighted that, since

11520-442: The day before Lent is known as Shrove Tuesday, which is derived from the word shrive , meaning "to administer the sacrament of confession to; to absolve." In these countries, pancakes are associated with Shrove Tuesday because they are a way to use up rich foods such as eggs, milk, and sugar – rich foods which are not eaten during the season. The Carnival celebrations which in many cultures traditionally precede Lent are seen as

11648-529: The desert for 40 days; this is known as one's Lenten sacrifice . Prior to the 6th century, Lent was normatively observed through the practice of the Black Fast , which enjoins fasting from food and liquids, with the allowance of one vegetarian meal after sunset. This form of fasting continues in certain denominations, such as the Coptic Orthodox Church . Many Lent-observing Christians also add

11776-612: The diocese as possible together with the bishop. This Mass was not included in editions of the Roman Missal before the time of Pope Pius XII. In this Mass, the bishop blesses separate oils for the sick (used in Anointing of the Sick ), for catechumens (used in baptism ) and chrism (used in baptism, confirmation and the Holy Orders , as well as in rites such as the dedication of an altar and

11904-532: The dry earth of the whole world, and the abundant waters of the saving bath might saturate the lengthy drought of the Gentiles." In the New Testament , Jesus went into the desert to fast and pray for 40 days and 40 nights; it was during this time that Satan tried to tempt him (cf. Matthew 4:1–3 ). The 40-day and night fasts of Moses, Elijah, and Jesus prepared them for their work. Early Christianity records

12032-521: The evening of Holy Saturday . This calculation makes Lent last 46 days if the 6 Sundays are included, but only 40 days if they are excluded. This definition is still that of the Moravian Church , Lutheran Church , Anglican Church , Methodist Church , Western Rite Orthodox Church , United Protestant Churches , and those of the Reformed Churches (i.e., Continental Reformed , Presbyterian , and Congregationalist ) that observe Lent. (In

12160-413: The evening of Palm Sunday and concluding on the evening of Great Saturday . In Western Christianity , Holy Week is the sixth and last week of Lent , beginning with Palm Sunday and concluding on Holy Saturday . Holy Week begins with the commemoration of Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday , marks the betrayal of Jesus on Spy Wednesday ( Holy Wednesday ), climaxing with

12288-468: The event. The custom of veiling is typically practiced the last two weeks, beginning on the fifth Sunday of Lent (known as Judica Sunday or Passion Sunday ) until Good Friday , when the cross is unveiled solemnly in the liturgy. In most Lent-observing denominations, the last week of Lent coincides with Holy Week , starting with Palm Sunday . Following the New Testament narrative, Jesus' crucifixion

12416-407: The faithful have been abstaining from for the duration of Great Lent. Lenten traditions and liturgical practices are less common, less binding, and sometimes non-existent among some liberal and progressive Christians . A greater emphasis on anticipation of Easter Sunday is often encouraged more than the penitence of Lent or Holy Week. Some Christians as well as secular groups also interpret

12544-770: The fast is divided into three separate periods: Tsome Hirkal, the eight-day Fast of Heraclius , commemorating the fast requested by the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius before he reputedly set out to fight the Sassanian Empire and recover the True Cross which had been seized and taken from Jerusalem; Tsome Arba, 40 days of Lent; and Tsome Himamat, seven days commemorating Holy Week . Fasting involves abstention from animal products (meat, dairy, and eggs), and refraining from eating or drinking before 3:00 pm. Ethiopian devotees may also abstain from sexual activity and

12672-557: The fireworks. At the end of the pyrotechnic traca , in the Plaza Mayor , the queens of the festival, in a symbolic act to officially conclude the year's festivities and begin the preparations for the next year, in a televised closing ceremony, shout from the balcony of City Hall to the crowds below in a festive final exchange, in Old Valencian: The gaiatas are the festive monuments of the Magdalena Festival. Antonio Pascual Felip,

12800-413: The first celebration of the Magdalena Festival in 1945, the year with the earliest date of the festivities was in 2008, from 23 February to 2 March; whilst the celebration which began on the latest date was in 1981, from 28 March to 5 April. In both 1948 and 2032, the most important day of the festival, the Sunday of the Magdalena Festival (third Sunday of Lent and first Sunday of the week of celebrations),

12928-428: The first ceramic gaiata , a thirteen feet tall construction entirely covered by trencadis (a type of mosaic created from broken tile shards), faux stained glass and over 300 LED lights. Further information about this can be found in both newspapers El Mundo and Levante published on April 3, 2011. Lent Lent ( Latin : Quadragesima , 'Fortieth') is the solemn Christian religious observance in

13056-577: The house of Simon the Leper , especially the anointing of Jesus by Mary of Bethany , which directly preceded the betrayal of Jesus by Judas to the Sanhedrin. Tenebrae ( Latin for "shadows" or "darkness") is celebrated within Western Christianity during Holy Week, especially on Spy Wednesday . Tenebrae is distinctive for its gradual extinguishing of candles while a series of readings and psalms

13184-459: The intent to finish proper embalming and burial ceremonies on Sunday, after the Sabbath had ended, as the Sabbath day prohibitions would have prevented observant Jews from completing a proper burial. In the Catholic tradition after the Good Friday service, which represents the burial of Jesus, until the Easter Vigil on Saturday night, no mass takes place whatsoever on Holy Saturday. The celebration of

13312-478: The last days of Jesus Christ's life. Among them: On Holy Wednesday, the story of Judas arranging his betrayal of Jesus with the chief priests is remembered; he was a spy among the disciples of Jesus ( Matthew 26:14–25 ). For this reason, the day is sometimes called "Spy Wednesday". (In the Tridentine Mass the Passion according to St. Luke is read instead.) Other events connected with this date include events at

13440-629: The liturgies used for Holy Week are nearly identical. In the Episcopal Church, the main U.S. branch of the Anglican Communion, the 1979 Book of Common Prayer identifies Holy Week--comprising Palm Sunday (Sunday of the Passion) through Holy Saturday--as a separate season after Lent, rather than as part of it; but the weekdays of Holy Week, like those of Lent, are Days of Special Devotion to be observed by special acts of discipline and self-denial, so

13568-585: The model for the Eucharist or Holy Communion. During the meal, Jesus predicted the events that would immediately follow, including his betrayal, the Denial of Peter , and his death and resurrection. The liturgical celebration of the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday marks the beginning of the Paschal Triduum . Catholic and Lutheran parishes traditionally practice the foot washing (Maundy) ceremony on Maundy Thursday ,

13696-520: The mountains for 40 days and 40 nights to pray and fast "without eating bread or drinking water" before receiving the Ten Commandments (cf. Exodus 34:28 ). Likewise, the prophet Elijah went into the mountains for 40 days and nights to fast and pray "until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God" when "the word of the Lord came to him" (cf. 1 Kings 19:8–9 ). The early Christian bishop Maximus of Turin wrote that as Elijah by "fasting continuously for

13824-613: The name used refers to the activity associated with the season. Thus it is called "fasting period" in Czech ( postní doba ), German ( Fastenzeit ), and Norwegian ( fasten / fastetid ), and it is called "The Great Fast" in Arabic ( الصوم الكبير – al-ṣawm al-kabīr ), Syriac ( ܨܘܡܐ ܪܒܐ ṣawmā rabbā ), Polish ( wielki post ), Russian ( великий пост – vieliki post ), Ukrainian ( великий піст – velyky pist ), and Hungarian ( nagyböjt ). Romanian , apart from

13952-694: The normal Mass was celebrated. Churches of many denominations , including the Lutheran, Catholic, Methodist, Anglican, Moravian and Reformed traditions, distribute palm branches to their congregations during their Palm Sunday liturgies. Christians take these palms, which are often blessed by clergy, to their homes where they hang them alongside Christian art (especially crosses and crucifixes ) or keep them in their Bibles or devotionals. The days between Palm Sunday and Maundy Thursday are known as Holy Monday , Holy Tuesday (Fig Tuesday), and Holy Wednesday (Spy Wednesday). There are traditional observances held by liturgical denominations to commemorate events from

14080-472: The opening verses of the pregó (an announcement made by a town crier) on Saturday, the bell's chime means "Ja el día es arribat de la nostra Magdalena" ("The day of our Magdalena celebration has come"). At 8:00 am, the pilgrimage - so called because of the canes carried by those taking part, a reminder of the city's past - starts from the Plaza Mayor (Castellón) (Main Square). Although its official starting point

14208-463: The order for its foundation in 1251. A traditional, vernacular parade reflecting the mythology , history , customs and folklore of Castellón . This parade starts at 4:00 p.m. and lasts for approximately 4 hours, passing through central and northern parts of the city. The following sections can be distinguished: After the opening speech ( pregó ) ends, the Enfarolà del Campanar begins. It

14336-601: The period of three days known as the Easter Triduum , that includes Good Friday (seen as beginning with the liturgy of the preceding evening), Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday up to evening prayer on that day. The Chrism Mass, whose texts the Roman Missal and the rubrics used in Lutheran Churches now give under Maundy Thursday, but before the Paschal Triduum which begins that evening, may be brought forward early in Holy Week, to facilitate participation by as many clergy of

14464-423: The practical effect is the same as if Holy Week were considered part of Lent. In the Moravian Church , the Holy Week services ( Passion Week ) are extensive, as the congregation follows the life of Christ through His final week in daily services dedicated to readings from a harmony of the Gospel stories, responding to the actions in hymns, prayers and litanies, beginning on the eve of Palm Sunday and culminating in

14592-480: The priest if there is no deacon, carries the Paschal Candle at the head of the entrance procession and, at three points, stops and chants the proclamation "The Light of Christ" (until Easter 2011, the official English text was "Christ our Light"), to which the people respond "Thanks be to God". Once the procession concludes with the singing of the third proclamation, the lights throughout the church are lit, except for

14720-400: The province, to show off the nineteen different gaiatas of the city (two each per district, the main gaiata and the children's gaiata of the sector), accompanied by the president, matron and members of the respective sector commission. In addition, two more gaiatas are shown: one sponsored by a well-known savings bank that maintains the tradition of les xiquetes del meneo , and the other

14848-449: The rite by Pope Pius XII , the blessing of the palms occurred inside the church within a liturgy that followed the general outline of a Mass, with Collect, Epistle and Gospel, as far as the Sanctus. The palms were then blessed with five prayers, and a procession went out of the church and on its return included a ceremony for the reopening of the doors, which had meanwhile been shut. After this

14976-426: The sacrament. For centuries it has been common practice for baptisms to take place on Easter, and so such references were formerly taken to be references to a pre-Easter fast. Tertullian , in his 3rd-century work On Baptism , indicates that Easter was a "most solemn day for baptism." However, he is one of only a handful of writers in the ante-Nicene period who indicates this preference, and even he says that Easter

15104-505: The seven which followed it. The Codex Theodosianus , however, is explicit in ordering that all actions at law should cease, and the doors of all courts of law be closed during those 15 days (1. ii. tit. viii.). Of the particular days of the "great week" the earliest to emerge into special prominence was naturally Good Friday. Next came the Sabbatum Magnum ("Great Sabbath", i.e., Holy Saturday or Easter Eve) with its vigil , which in

15232-608: The sprinkling of baptismal water . The general intercessions follow. After the Liturgy of Baptism, the Liturgy of the Eucharist continues as usual. This is the first Mass of Easter Day. During the Eucharist, the newly baptised receive Holy Communion for the first time. According to the rubrics of the Missal , the Easter vigil "ends before the dawn on the Sunday". Easter Day (or Easter Sunday), which immediately follows Holy Week and begins with

15360-518: The three pillars of Lent: Self-reflection, simplicity, and sincerity (honesty) are emphasised during the Lenten season. During pre-Lent , it is customary for Christians to ponder what Lenten sacrifices they will make for Lent. The pre-Lenten period concludes with the opportunity for a last round of merrymaking, known as Carnival , Shrovetide , or Fastelavn , before the start of the sombre Lenten season. The traditions of carrying Shrovetide rods and consuming Shrovetide buns after attending church

15488-548: The time comes for paschal joys, the abundance of which overflows to occupy fifty days. Holy Communion may only be given on this day as Viaticum . In some Anglican churches, including the Episcopal Church in the United States , there is provision for a simple liturgy of the word with readings commemorating the burial of Christ. The doors of the empty tabernacle of the main altar are left open, to symbolise that Jesus Christ

15616-501: The tradition of fasting before Easter. The Apostolic Constitutions permit the consumption of "bread, vegetables, salt and water, in Lent" with "flesh and wine being forbidden." The Canons of Hippolytus authorize only bread and salt to be consumed during Holy Week . The practice of fasting and abstaining from alcohol, meat and lacticinia during Lent thus became established in the Church. In AD 339, Athanasius of Alexandria wrote that

15744-458: The tradition of hitting a barrel, which represents fighting Satan; after doing this, children enjoy the sweets inside the barrel. Lutheran Christians in these nations carry Shrovetide rods (fastelavnsris), which "branches decorated with sweets, little presents, etc., that are used to decorate the home or give to children." In English-speaking countries such as the United Kingdom and Canada ,

15872-488: The two gaiatas of the city, which represents the whole city and were the ones chosen as the best gaiatas in the previous year's gaiatas competition. All in all 41 floats are presented. The Gaiata Parade passes through the city with the festival queens and their corresponding courts of honour, as well as a representation of the City Council and of the 'Corporació Municipal de Festes', the 'Junta de Festes de Castelló' and

16000-497: The unlit church. In the darkness (often in a side chapel of the church building or, preferably, outside the church), a new fire is kindled and blessed by the priest. This new fire symbolizes the light of salvation and hope that God brought into the world through Christ's Resurrection, dispelling the darkness of sin and death. From this fire is lit the Paschal candle , symbolizing the Light of Christ. This Paschal candle will be used throughout

16128-572: The whole duration of the season including Sundays. Throughout Christendom , some adherents continue to mark the season with a traditional abstention from the consumption of meat ( vegetarianism ), most notably among Catholics, Lutherans, and Anglicans. The form of abstention may vary depending on what is customary; some abstain from meat for 40 days, some do so only on Fridays, or some only on Good Friday itself. In Catholicism, lacticinia may be consumed by penitents in Spain and its colonised territories, per

16256-425: Was by no means the only favored day for baptisms in his locale. Since the 20th century, scholars have acknowledged that Easter was not the standard day for baptisms in the early church, and references to pre-baptismal periods of fasting were not necessarily connected with Easter. There were shorter periods of fasting observed in the pre-Nicene church ( Athanasius noted that the 4th-century Alexandrian church observed

16384-531: Was earlier established, such as Greek and Latin , the term signifies the period dating from the 40th weekday before Easter. In modern Greek the term is Σαρακοστή ( Sarakostí ), derived from the earlier Τεσσαρακοστή ( Tessarakostí ), meaning "fortieth". The corresponding word in Latin , quadragesima ("fortieth"), is the origin of the terms used in Latin-derived languages and in some others. Examples in

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