The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

HOLY WEEK

IN UKRAINE, ON GOOD FRIDAY, THERE IS A NOON SERVICE IN CHURCH CALLED
A ( UKRANIAN WORD HAS BEEN OMITTED BECAUSE ALPHABET COULDN'T BE
DUPLICATED--TRANSLATION FOLLOWS ) (CLOTH IN WHICH JESUS WAS WRAPPED
AFTER DEATH). THE CLOTH IS CARRIED AROUND THE CHURCH 3 TIMES BY THE
4 ELDEST PARISHIONERS, THEN IT'S PLACED BEFORE THE ALTER ( ALTAR )
(HOLY GRAVE), AND ALL THE PEOPLE WALK UP TO IT ON THEIR KNEES AND
KISS IT. DURING ( THE ) SERVICE, RINGING OF BELLS STOPS AND
HAMMERING ON WOOD BEGINS (REPRESENTS MOURNING).

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM RELATIVES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): HOLY SHROUD

Date learned: 12-03-1967