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Passion Week (2)

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Passion Week

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(or Holy Week, as it is often called, though incorrectly; for Passion Week, by the proper rubrical usage, is that which precedes Holy Week) is observed with great pomp in the Romish Church. The ceremonies of the season commence on Palm-Sunday (q.v.), when the commemoration takes place of the Savior's triumphal entry into Jerusalem. On Wednesday of this week, in the afternoon, there is the service of the Tenebrae, a kind of funeral service, which is repeated at the same hour on the Thursday and Friday. The ceremonies of the Thursday consist principally of a representation of the burial of our Savior. This is followed, in Rome, by the ceremony of the pope washing the feet of thirteen pilgrims, in imitation of our Savior's washing the feet of his disciples; this ceremony being followed by the same pilgrims being served by his holiness at dinner. A singular ceremony takes place on the Thursday at St. Peters at Rome — the washing of the high-altar with wine. On Good Friday the ceremony of uncovering and adoring the cross is observed, at the close of which a procession is marshalled to bring back the host from the sepulcher in which it was deposited on the previous day. The pope and cardinals also adore the three great relics, which are glittering caskets of crystals, set in gold and silver, and sparkling with precious stones, and which are said to contain a part of the true cross, one half of the spear which pierced the Savior's side, and the Volto Santo, or holy countenance. On the Saturday of Passion Week, at Rome, converted Jews and heathen are baptized. after holywater has been consecrated for the purpose. Young men are also ordained to various sacred offices. The chief employment. of the day, however, consists of services in honor of the resurrection. For the ceremonies of Easter Sunday, (See EASTER). The Great Week closes usually with an illumination and fireworks. See Wheatley, Commentary on Book of Common Prayer; Schaff, Church History, vol, 1; Procter, Commentary on Book of Common Prayer. For monographs, see Volbeding, p. 120; Hase, p. 177 sq. For the events, (See JESUS CHRIST).