"Viridium" (lat.) "green" (engl.) is a re-translation of "gruen" (german). This
is a etymological simplification of the old verb "greinen" (german) "weep, cry"
(engl.). So the latin "viridium dies" is a translation from German with the
connotation "Monte olivetti". No herbs, no meal, no flowers, no spring are in
these words.
Michael Pfeifer - Wuerzburg - Germany
> > >> I find the term "Viridium die" is some 16th-century documents. It
> > >> appears to refer to one of the days in Holy Week.
> > >
> > >It is Maundy (or Holy) Thursday. In some countries (notably Germany) it
> > >is still called Green Thursday (viridis = green, dies = day).
> > >
> > I wonder why 'green' - my Latin dictionary adds "fresh, blooming,
> > marked by youthful vigour" -- seems peculiar for this feast...
>
> Perhaps it has something to do with the meal? The Green Herbs. Or
> perhaps the time of the year. Could be a Pagan rite that happened
> to fall on that day that dealt with spring or growth or celebrated Spring
> at one point in time.
>
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