Easter Bells

The Easter Bells


In some European countries, Easter bells have a great symbolic aspect. In the ancient times, the bells of our churches were ringing every day of the year to invite people to attend the mass, to celebrate a royal wedding, the birth of a prince, or for any other public event. 


On Maundy Thursday, all the bells will stop ringing: they leave our countries for Rome where the Holy See is located and they will be blessed by the pope.


Since Jesus died on Good Friday and resurrected on Easter Sunday these days of silence are a symbol of mourning and recollection. Therefore, the bells will ring again on Easter Sunday, returning from Rome where they brought Easter eggs that they will drop in our gardens.


Besides Jesus' resurrection, Easter bells also symbolize the rebirth of the Spring.


To a child who makes bad faces, we say: "If the bells ring in Rome, your bad face will remain all life long."

Easter Bells Hymn

O the Easter bells are gladly ringing,
Let the whole world join the happy lay,
Let the hills and vales break forth in singing,
Christ, the Lord of Life, is ris’n today.

Refrain

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Let the whole world join the happy lay,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Christ, the Lord of Life, is ris’n today.

O the Easter bells are gladly ringing,
Hear the shouts along the King’s highway;
Songs of praise the children, too, are singing,
Christ, the Lord of Life, is ris’n today.

Refrain

O the Easter bells are gladly ringing,
For the night of death has passed away,
Lo! the gates of morn are open swinging,
Christ, the Lord of Life, is ris’n today.

Refrain


and for the young at heart:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFWmvS3jprk&feature=player_embedded

Many traditions are continuing but , sadly
not all remain in place or have been relegated to "the not so important".
Many of our traditions go by the wayside and our future generations will only hear of them in History (or more likely off the internet)
So I post this one here in the hope that someone reads it and passes it on


"The Easter Water"

Unknown today, the Easter water was an important Easter element for our ancestors as it was deemed to have very beneficent virtues.

Early in the morning, before the sunrise, people went to the river and brought several gallons water. The Easter water and a branch that people received at the church on the Sunday before Easter Sunday were used to bless the home and protect it against inclemency’s. People also drank this water to cure diseases.

I'd like to thank you for stopping by to visit my Easter Marathon

and will be bringing more Easter Spirit and fun as the month progresses

and  very Happy Birthdays  to Judy and Jack