Today, Good Friday, is a religious holiday in which Christians observe the death of Jesus Christ. Being a Catholic country, France observes this day with the “silencing of the bells” in which church bells in each village, town, and city go silent until Easter Sunday. Legend states the bells fly (Les Cloches Volants) off to Rome on Holy Thursday carrying with them everyone’s misery and sorrow. They visit the Pope for his blessings and return on Easter dropping chocolate eggs, bells, and bunnies in gardens for all the children.
The tradition dates back to the 7th Century (or 12th, depending on resources) when the Church forbade the ringing of the bells in honor of Christ’s death between Holy Thursday and Easter Sunday.
The tradition dates back to the 7th Century (or 12th, depending on resources) when the Church forbade the ringing of the bells in honor of Christ’s death between Holy Thursday and Easter Sunday.
Don't you mean Ash Wednesday instead of Good Friday? I wish the bells would carry my misery away all the time!
ReplyDeleteNo, it's Good Friday. The bells leave on Thursday, hence no chimming on Friday.
ReplyDelete