The miracle of the Resurrection is not limited to one day, so the Church celebrates the octave of Easter: for eight days without a break repeats the truth that Christ is Risen!
Kiev. Ukraine. Ukraine Gate – April 06, 2021 – Ukraine society and culture
The word “octave” comes from Latin and means “eight”. The Easter octave is a joy evoked by the experiences of the Easter Triduum. These eight days of celebration of the Church will then last until Pentecost, – says the Catholic Media Center.
The custom of continuing the most important Christian holidays in the octave has existed for a long time. The date of the Easter octave is unknown. However, already in the IV century. it is mentioned by Asteria Sophist of Cappadocia. In this way, the Church wants to emphasize the rank and importance of the celebration.
In addition to Easter, the octave of the Nativity of Christ is also celebrated.
The days of the Easter octave, as well as Easter Sunday, have the rank of solemnity. The period of eight days is treated as one day, as one celebration. Therefore, on the octave of Easter on Friday you can eat meat.
These days, “Glory to God in the Highest” is sung daily and the Easter sequence “May eternal glory be poured out on the Passover Sacrifice.” During the Holy Mass, passages are read about the meetings of the Risen One with Mary Magdalene, with the disciples going to Emmaus, with the disciples over Lake Tiberias.
Liturgical texts also explain the significance of the sacrament of Baptism. In ancient times it was the time of the so-called mystical catechesis for the baptized for the Easter holidays. It was intended to make the presence of Christ in the community of believers a mystery.
The last day of the octave is White Sunday. Earlier in the day, neophytes baptized during the Roman Easter Vigil, dressed in white robes given to them by the Christian community, marched in procession to the church of St. Pancracy to take part in the Eucharist there.
St. John Paul II instituted this Sunday as a feast of God’s Mercy.
Read also: The Canadian Mint Mints a Gold Easter Egg!
Source: Ukrgate
