You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to gmku again.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by floatingslowly
are they expecting rain too?
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ha! no, Ethiopians don't believe opening an umbrella inside is bad lack, in fact they believe quite the opposite. Whenever the Gospels, the Prayer Book, the Incense or the Communion is taken out of the altar, it MUST be canopied by a
jantella (umbrela), outside or indoors, regardless. I find it quite fascinating myself, and while its origins are from Eastern European christianity, in Ethiopia it has evolved to shield sacred persons and objects from the glare of the evil eye.
From Wiki:
"As a canopy of state, umbrellas were generally used in southern and eastern Europe, and then passed by a natural process from the imperial court into church ceremonial. They are found in the ceremonies of the
Byzantine Church, they were borne over the
Host in
procession, and form part of the
Pontifical regalia. Consequently, the
ombrellino or
umbraculum, is a part of the
papal regalia. Although the popes no longer use it personally, it is displayed on the
coat of arms of a
sede vacante (the papal arms used between the death of a pope and the election of his successor). This umbraculum is normally made of alternating red and gold fabric, and is usually displayed in a partially unfolded manner. The popes have traditionally bestowed the use of the umbraculum as a mark of honor upon specific persons and places. The use of an umbraculum is one of the honarary symbols of a
basilica and may be used in the basilica's
coat of arms, and carried in processions by the basilica's
canons.
A medieval gem portrays a bishop, attended by a cross-bearer, and a servant who carries behind him an
umbrella.
A large
umbrella is displayed in each of the
Basilicas of Rome, and a
cardinal bishop who receives his
title from one of those churches has the privilege of having an
umbrella carried over his head in solemn
processions. It is possible that the
galero (wide-brimmed cardinal's hat) may be derived from this
umbrella.[
citation needed] Beatiano, an Italian
herald, says that "a vermilion
umbrella in a field argent symbolises dominion."
An
umbrella is also used in Roman Catholic liturgy and it's known as the "umbraculum" or "ombrellino". It is held over the Most Holy Sacrament and it's carrier by a server in short processions taking place indoors, or until the priest is met at the sanctuary entrance by the bearers of the processional canopy or baldacchino. It is regularly white or golden (the colours reserved for the Most Holy Sacrament) and made of silk.
In several
Oriental Orthodox Churches, such as the
Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, umbrellas are used liturgically to show honor to a person (such as a
bishop) or a holy object. In the ceremonies of
Timkat (Epiphany), priests will cary a model of the
Ark of the Covenant, called a
Tabot, on their heads in procession to a body of water, which will then be blessed. Brightly-colored embroidered and fringed liturgical parasols are carried above the Tabota during this procession. Such processions also take place on other major
feast days."
