medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
A student just sent me a clipping (from her local paper, though she didn't give me its name) which cited Richard Landes' article in Speculum 2000 (vol.75 no.1). Landes reports that Abbo of Fleury was aware of this momentous coincidence:
"This computus- based calculation predicted the end of the world when the Passion and the Annunciation coincided on Friday March 25, the very date of the creation of Adam. This calendrical coincidence occurred three times [before 1000]... in 970, 981, and 992..." (Landes pp124-125)
The newspaper clipping cont'd that "Matthew Paris speak[s] of it, and Lambert of St.-Omer adds that March 25 was the date of the creation of Adam, the binding of Isaac, and the crossing of the Red Sea, not to mention the annunciation to Mary, the crucifixion of Christ, and the battle of Armageddon."
(The article went on to joke that :
"a strange red logo stating "Omnium Finis Imminet" has been appearing on television commercials and subway
signs. Perhaps it is a new TV show or video game, but who knows...")
It's snowing in Chicago today; but that's not a portent : that's just spring in Chicago!
Blessed Easter to all
TGD
>>> [log in to unmask] 3/25/05 8:10:06 AM >>>
medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
In later medieval thinking is the Annunciation not so far
from the Passion, but really its 'first chapter' (at least
in popular opinion and in pictorial art).
It has an akward position this year, but unless you are more
than 80 years old, can nobody remember what was done the last
time it occurred in 1932. It is more rare than a total solar
eclipse, and will not happen again in our lifetime (at least
not in mine:-)
According to Grotefend did it occur the year before Hastings,
then in the following years:
1076*, 1155, 1160*, 1239, 1250, 1323, 1334, 1345, 1407, 1418,
1429, 1440*, 1502, 1513, 1524, 1597 ...
in modern times in 1864*, 1910, 1921, 1932, 2005, and no more
in this century! (the reson for this, I suppose, is found in
the calendar reform, which reduced the frequency of an early
Easter (although I not quite understand how it came about to
work this way).
The 'rubrice generalis breviarii' has of course directions
for such occasions, but, as mentioned above, is it not
something that normally occurs twice within living mens memory.
So : please enjoy this memorable and unique day in your life!
Best
Erik Drigsdahl
At 10:15 +0100 25/03/05, Dr. Gordon Arthur wrote:
>>The Annunciation, which feels strange to celebrate on Good Friday. I
>>assume that Good Friday trumps the Annunciation. Is the A. moved to
>>another day in years like this one?
>Correct. No feasts supersede either Holy Week or Easter Week, so it's
>transferred to the next available weekday after Low Sunday, which this
>year is April 4th.
>Gordon
>
_____________________________________________________________________
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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