Posted on 02/13/2018 6:45:00 AM PST by heterosupremacist
The last day of Carnival and the day before for Ash Wednesday, Fat Tuesday is the intertwining of a period festivals and feasts that lead to a time of fasting and reflection. Also known as Shrove Tuesday and Mardi Gras, this enduring celebration has many traditions and deep roots around the world.
Mardi Gras (French for Fat Tuesday) dates back to an ancient Roman festival honoring the deities Lupercalia and Saturnalia which took place in mid-February. When Christians arrived in Rome, they incorporated the festival into Lenten preparations.
For centuries, this solemn feast prepared Christians for the season of Lent and used up valuable meat and supplies they would be abstaining from in the days to come. Traditions surrounding the day have changed through the ages. Through time and culture, the practices of Lent and Carnival, Mardi Gras, and Shrove Tuesday have varied and become incorporated into regional customs.
In the United Kingdom, Shrove Tuesday is also known as Pancake Day. Pancakes are the perfect menu item when the future includes abstaining from fats, eggs, and sweets! In Russia, they celebrate the entire week during Shrovetide as Pancake Week.
While the French didn’t originate the medieval feast, they did put their stamp on it. From parades to beignets and colorful masks, the last day of Carnival is full of elaborate costumes and lavish food sure to hold the revelers over through a long fast. During the 16th century, their ancestors celebrated Boeuf Gras (fatted calf) which included a tradition of parading a bull decorated with flowers through the city. The decorated animal is followed through the streets by a retinue of colorfully dressed attendants and bands playing unusual instruments. There was even a Boeuf Gras Society in Mobile, Alabama at one time. (See history below for more information.)
(Excerpt) Read more at nationaldaycalendar.com ...
Just served pancakes this morning. Thinking about making a King Cake for later.
“Mardi Gras (French for Fat Tuesday) dates back to an ancient Roman festival honoring the deities Lupercalia and Saturnalia which took place in mid-February. When Christians arrived in Rome, they incorporated the festival into Lenten preparations. ”
Pagan syncretism
So I guess you’ll be fasting extra hard tomorrow.
I don’t add paganism to Christian doctrine.
Since we left the UMC, we don’t do Lent. The non-denom we attend doesn’t do it. No Ash Wednesday and no Lent. Too Catholic.
translation, please?
"Let the good times roll."
You remember that Jesus did Lent first, right? And what is “too Catholic” about it, exactly? Does your non-denom look at practices and say “hmmmm, unobjectionable, biblical, but... just *feels* too Catholic”
Long tradition in my family as Pancake Day!
We are Lutheran, so I suspect it dates back to my Anglican great grandma
I’ve said for years that we should combine Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday into one holiday at the end of the week, giving us a three-day weekend.
We could call it, “Fat-Ash Friday.”
Just sayin’...
Let The Good Times Roll!
In Germany, it’s called ‘Fasching’.
When I was in Germany in the Army back in the 80s, our unit used to let us have the afternoon as a training holiday to go down to the Village Square and watch the fasching parade. It was a lot of fun, with a lot of good food and of course a lot of beer.
As soon as the 7th grader finishes his American Goverment homeschool lesson, he will start making the King Cake for this year. He “won” last year, so he has to make this one.
People are always allowed to elect a stricter rule for themselves. Many do, without talking about it.
Quote-You remember that Jesus did Lent first, right? And what is “too Catholic” about it, exactly? Does your non-denom look at practices and say “hmmmm, unobjectionable, biblical, but... just *feels* too Catholic”
Where is that in the scriptures?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.