Christian Easter Readings

500-Mile Pilgrimage Marks 60th Birthday

This spring Deborah Weltman of Affton set out on a two-month, 500-mile spiritual journey for her 60th birthday. She left on April 11 and returned home on June 2.

She trekked across highways, mountains, small towns and fields on the ancient Christian religious pilgrimage route called "El Camino de Santiago de Compostela" or "The Way of St. James" in Spain. The destination is the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain, where the remains of the apostle Saint James are said to be buried.

"This was something I had wanted to do for years. I just had this realization that if I didn't do it this year I didn't think it would happen," said Weltman, owner of Terra Art and Frame and Terra Decorating Services.

With her belongings in a backpack, Weltman's arduous hike started at St. Jean Pied de Port in France. She crossed immediately over the Pyrenees Mountains into northern Spain and continued across northern Spain to the Santiago de Compostela.

With beautiful spring weather and breathtaking scenery, Weltman hiked about 10 to 16 miles a day on a rocky trail over varying terrain - watching out for cow pies and on more than one occasion yielding to cows. The trail was full of people, especially before Easter, as religious pilgrims made their way to the cathedral, Weltman said. She said about 100,000 walk the Camino annually.

Weltman and fellow pilgrims found food, water and lodging in the towns along the way staying in "alberques," or "Pilgrim's hostels." The hostels accommodated anywhere from two to 50 to a room.

Weltman's idea for the journey took root about 10 to 15 years ago after reading Shirley MacClaine's book, "The Camino: A Journey of The Spirit," which chronicled her experiences along the trail.

United Nations Of The Camino

Although Weltman had really expected a spiritual journey, it didn't turn out that way.

"I'm still trying to make sense of what it was. It wasn't how I pictured it," she noted.

"In two months I might feel different, but for the moment it seemed like the first part of it was about people. I met people from all over the world," Weltman said. "It felt like the United Nations of the Camino."

She met Spaniards, Italians, French, English, Irish, Danish, Germans, and "surprisingly" Japanese and South Koreans - but very few Americans.

Orthodox-Christian Easter - Kalofagas - Greek Food & Beyond

This post is being written on Good Friday of Holy Week and I thought to write a post that enlightens you of how Orthodox-Christians and more specifically Greek-Orthodox spend the next few days until the culmination of Easter Sunday. The Great Lent began March 7th (Katheri Deftera) or Ash Monday and those that adhere to the fast would have abstained from eating any meat or meat by-products up until the stroke of midnight, when Easter Sunday arrives. Shellfish, cephelopods and cod-fish (on March 25th and Palm Sunday are allowed) and consumed with vegetables, legumes, grains, nuts and fruit. It’s thought of as a spiritual and bodily cleanse and although I do not fast for the entire period of Lent, I do feel better – even after a week-long fast!

 

For the Orthodox-Christian, the run-up to Easter and the actual day itself are the most significant events in our religious calendar. The events leading up to Christ’s crucifixion, death and resurrection are read out and re-enacted in church serves. Megalo Pempti (Thursday) and Good Friday are the most somber days of the Orthodox calendar. The mood in the church is akin to funeral service – that of Christ’s. On Good Friday during the day, parishioners pass by the Epitaph of Christ and pay their respects and then later in the evening we gather once again for as the Epitaph is carried out on the shoulders of men who carry it around a town, village or neighborhood. The Epitaph is made of solid oak, contains an icon of Christ, it’s adorned with many-many flowers and I’ve had the honour of carrying the Epitaph on a few occasions here at our parish St. Nicholas in Scarborough.

Megalo Savato (Saturday) is a day filled with preparations for Easter Sunday: the lamb is purchased, the Tsoureki (Easter bread) is made, Easter eggs are dyed, Koulourakia (cookies) , cleaning of intestines, organ meats for an array of Easter Sunday appetizers and the must-have Magheritsa soup. Megalo Savato flashes by quickly and the family gets dressed to attend church for the evening mass. Candles are held by all and just before midnight the Holy Light is passed around and lit – illuminated the church and the area surrounding the church (crowds swell on Megalo Savato) and at midnight, the resurrection has occurred – Christ Has Risen! Indeed He Has Risen!

 

Families head back for home and for many, they have been fasting for some 40 days and waiting for them is the Easter Soup called Magheritsa containing organ meat, lamb meat, intestines, lots of scallions, herbs and greens and made into a creamy Avgolemono-type soup. From a dietary sense, it’s recommended to eat this soup after the midnight mass so as to not shock the body from a fasting period to a feast on Easter Sunday. Easter eggs are cracked (traditionally dyed red to represent the blood of Christ) and rest is quickly on the minds of all as Easter Sunday awaits…lots of work, lots of celebration!

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