Kate in Arabia Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 So I'm working on some materials for ds' course in medieval Islamic history, and I'm reading an early Arab historian's account of the conquest of Mesopotamia. In one particular city in Syria, one of the terms laid out by the conquering general was that the inhabitants agreed to not openly celebrate Easter Monday. I was raised Roman Catholic, and frankly I had not heard of Easter Monday before. I have since cursorily read about it, I'm just wondering whether anyone here observes it? You learn something new every day (at least, I learned something new!)... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justLisa Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Interesting. I have never heard of that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 They were probably Orthodox and the week after Easter is called Bright Week in the Orthodox tradition. In some places there would be a liturgy most days in celebration and fasting is forbidden. It is a week of celebration and great joy. The monday after Easter is called Bright Monday and our parish always has a service then. it's wonderful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate in Arabia Posted November 30, 2012 Author Share Posted November 30, 2012 Well there's a footnote in the text that suggests it corresponds to the Muslim prayers vis a vis rain, but other than some cultures celebrating Easter Monday with different water-involved activities I don't really get the connection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starr Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Now you're going to have to research medieval Christian history. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LMA Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 There is Easter Monday in the Catholic Church. In fact, the octave within Easter is Easter Week. The entire Easter Season is 50 days. It's not just one Sunday. This still holds true for the Church today. It's just not really emphasized or celebrated this way except in the liturgy. Just like Christmas Season goes until Feb. 2. http://www.newadvent...then/05224d.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate in Arabia Posted November 30, 2012 Author Share Posted November 30, 2012 Now you're going to have to research medieval Christian history. :) In my spare time, lol. I'm feeling like I should have a small notebook where I jot down little items that I want to look into when I get a moment... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belacqua Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Where I grew up (US, but significant Polish population), Easter Monday is Dyngus Day. Boys chase girls they like with pussy willow branches. :) Bright Monday sounds a lot prettier, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate in Arabia Posted November 30, 2012 Author Share Posted November 30, 2012 So y'all don't know of the water-related stuff? Wikipedia has a few mentions... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giraffe Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 So y'all don't know of the water-related stuff? Wikipedia has a few mentions... I didn't know about water traditions until I met DH's Muslim family, who were surprised *I* didn't know about it. We're all still a little confused. Perhaps it's something that survived in Islamic tradition as history but not modern Christian tradition? I'm not sure I'm expressing it correctly. ETA: just read the Wikipedia entry. Interesting. That must be to what DH's family was referring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Water plays an important roll in the Eastern churches, but I don't recall being blessed with water on Bright Monday specifically. The priest goes around and blesses our Easter baskets after the Pascha services Easter morning. And the priest comes around to each of our homes after Theophany and the Blessing of the Waters (Jan 6th) and goes through the whole house blessing it with Holy Water. I've gotten doused at other times during the year too, so yes, it is important beyond Easter. I also remember a priest blessing people at a Easter Midnight service I attended in the Catholic church once. But that's my only experience within the Catholic tradition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElizaG Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Easter Monday is still a civic holiday in many English-speaking countries -- some parts of the UK, Australia, and Canada, for example. To add to what a PP said about the Octave of Easter: In past centuries, Catholics in the Western Church would have had the whole week off work, and they would have observed the Octave as described here (taken from The Liturgical Year by Dom Gueranger, for those who might be curious about other holidays). Reducing the civic holiday to one day takes away from the liturgical significance, and makes it seems like just a relaxing day before heading back to work. Which is how it's generally observed these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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