medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture

Phyllis, do you know any normal people in "Western civilization" who do not
take advantage of every opportunity to drink and eat more than usual?
Shrove Tuesday was probably invented the very first year after the
introduction of Lent (Quadragesima). The day of the secular escapades is
different in various countries, and in medieval Germany was it mixed with
already existing popular rituals to escape the depressions of the deepest
winter.
Are there not similar phenomena in other religions where a fast is prescribed?
Erik Drigsdahl

At 17:41 -0800 11/02/02, Phyllis Jestice wrote:
>Mardi Gras (Shrove Tuesday, Carnival, Fasching)---the ultimate in feasting
>days of the year, preparatory to the beginning of Lent on Wednesday.
>Especially noteworthy in the area around New Orleans.  It's even a holiday
>at my university (!)  Seriously, does anyone know when Christians started
>celebrating this holiday?  Or Lent, for that matter?

_____________________________________________________________________

Mag.art. Erik Drigsdahl   CHD Center for Haandskriftstudier i Danmark
Kapelvej 25B 3.tv         Phone: +45 +35 37 20 47
DK-2200 Copenhagen N      Email: <[log in to unmask]>
DENMARK                   http://www.chd.dk

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