Last Guild Day of Christmas - Candlemas Quiz

Answer: November 1 (Feast of All Saints)

Although religious celebrations of the Christmas season began officially on the first Sunday of Advent, the secular courts of the King and his nobles began their official celebration on November 1. It was customary on November 1 for the King (followed in order by the noblemen) to announce the location of the royal castle which would house the court during the winter months. Beginning the following day, preparations began in earnest to move the King's court to its winter or Christmas location.

Answer: Snowdrops

Snowdrops are usually one of the earliest blooming flowers, and some hardy varieties have been known to bloom all winter long. Gathering Snowdrops and bringing them into your house on Candlemas is said to 'purify' your home. You shouldn't bring them in before February 2, however, as this will bring bad luck.

Snowdrops and Carnations are the 'birth flower' for January babies.

Answer: The journey of the Three Wise Men to the birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem

The earliest recorded observance of the Christian "Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple" dates from the mid-4th century. It has also become known as the "Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary" and in the Greek Orthodox Church as the "Hypapante tou Kyriou" or "Meeting" of Jesus with Simeon and Anna at the temple in Jerusalem.

The early observances had virtually nothing to do with the blessing or distribution of candles for use by Christian worshippers which we now know as Candlemas. Candlemas evolved much later in Christian history.

It is true that the use of the "Paschal Candle" during the Easter season, begun in the earliest centuries of Christianity, may have been the result of co-opting and condemning the pagan Roman celebration of the Lupercalia. However, the Easter/Paschal observances had little in common with the ending of the Christmas season at Candlemas.

In fact, "The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple" was celebrated, in part, to definitively separate the two liturgical seasons one from another. All ritual days from the First Sunday of Advent until Candlemas are reckoned in view of their relation to Christmas; all ritual days after Candlemas are reckoned in view of their relation to Easter.

The journey of the Wise Men is the celebration of Epiphany not Candlemas.

Answer: Nunc Dimittis

The Nunc Dimittis is usually sung during Vespers, or the Night Prayer Service.

Latin

Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace:
Quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum
Quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum:
Lumen ad revelationem gentium, et gloriam plebis tuae Israel

English (New International Version, 1973)

Lord, now you let your servant depart in peace according to your word.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared before the face of all people,
a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel.

'Agnus Dei' means 'Lamb of God.' It is spoken or sung as part of the Mass during the fraction of the Host.

The 'Requiem' Mass is a Mass for the dead. Many famous composers have written Requiems, including Mozart, Verdi and Fauré.

Answer: Imbolc

The Sabbat festival Imbolc was celebrated in pre-Christian Celtic communities in the beginning of February at the point of mid-winter and in anticipation of the coming spring. The pagan goddess Brigid associated with Imbolc was manifested in sacred flame, water wells and springs, lambs, ewes and hibernating animals. From the Christian traditions, there also existed a saint named Brigid whose memorial is venerated on February 1.

The cross-cultural pagan and Christian ephemerization of the two Brigids with the much earlier observance of "The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple" may have gradually evolved from the 5th century into a hybrid observance of the 11th century and the modern celebration of Candlemas, previously unknown to either tradition.

It is interesting that the first-ever recorded rite for the blessing of candles for distribution to Christian worshippers comes from the "Benedictional" of Bishop Æthelwold of Winchester in the British Isles toward the end of the 10th century.

Answer: Pancakes

There are many traditions to do with pancakes - how to make them, how to cook them, how to flip it in the pan, etc.
http://www.theworldwidegourmet.com/traditions/candlemas/

Here's a recipe for some American style Buttermilk and Pecan Pancakes:

Flavors of the USA
Total time: 15 to 30 minutes
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: A few minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Chef's Note
American-style pancakes are served very hot with maple syrup and a knob of butter. Depending on the region, a few drops of vanilla may be added.

Hint: Roll the pecans in flour to prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the batter.

Ingredients
- 500 ml (2 cups) flour
- 250 ml (1 cup) buttermilk
- 65 ml (1/4 cup) sugar
- 125 ml (1/2 cup) pecans or walnuts
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 tsp. salt (very important)
- 3 tsp. baking powder
- Vegetable oil
- Butter
- Brown sugar

Method
-Place the flour in a bowl; toss 65 ml (1/4 c.) of the pecans in the flour; add the sugar, salt and baking powder; add in the liquid ingredients and stir; do not whisk the mixture;
-oil a large cast iron skillet or crêpe pan; heat it; off the heat, pour in half a ladle of the batter, immediately tilting the pan with your other hand to spread the batter evenly;
-return to the heat and cook; once the edges begin to colour and you see small bubbles appearing all over the surface, flip the pancake;
-cook for a few moments on the other side and slide onto a plate. Keep warm until all the pancakes are cooked;
-meanwhile, sauté the remaining pecans in a skillet with a little butter;
-serve hot with butter and pecans and sprinkled with brown sugar.

Answer: St. Blaise

The legends surrounding the Christian St. Blaise portray his martyrdom in the 5th century with the instruments of his death, iron carding combs. Given the circumstances surrounding the legends of the Imbolc goddess Brigid and the Christian saint Brigid, the fact that Blaise is considered the patron saint of wool combers offers yet another indication that the Candlemas celebration and its propagation was the result of a hybridization of pagan and Christian cultures.

Answer: Punxsutawney Phil

Punxsutawney Phil has been predicting the weather on Groundhog Day since 1887. He makes his annual appearance from his temporary home on Gobbler's Knob, which is about 2 miles outside of town. When he isn't making his prediction, he lives in the town library with his 'wife' Phyllis.

The Susquehanna River is the longest river in the northeastern US. It runs through Selinsgrove, PA, where Susquehanna University (my alma mater) is located.

Monongahela Township is a small town in southwestern Pennsylvania. The Monongahela River meets the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh and forms the Ohio River. This is where Three Rivers Stadium used to stand, former home of the Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB).

Answer: Robert Herrick

Robert Herrick (1591-1674) is identified as one of the "Sons of Ben" or "Cavalier" poets of 17th century England.
His light-hearted poetry about ordinary life stood in stark contrast to that of the "Metaphysical" poets of the era whose heavy-handed gloom manifested their puritanical zeal. His three poems dedicated to the Candlemas celebration follow below.

CEREMONY UPON CANDLEMAS EVE
Down with the rosemary, and so
Down with the bays and mistletoe;
Down with the holly, ivy, all
Wherewith ye dress'd the Christmas hall;
That so the superstitious find
No one least branch there left behind;
For look, how many leaves there be
Neglected there, maids, trust to me,
So many goblins you shall see.

CEREMONIES FOR CANDLEMAS EVE
Down with the rosemary and bays,
Down with the misletoe;
Instead of holly, now up-raise
The greener box, for show.
The holly hitherto did sway;
Let box now domineer,
Until the dancing Easter-day,
Or Easter's eve appear.
Then youthful box, which now hath grace
Your houses to renew,
Grown old, surrender must his place
Unto the crisped yew.
When yew is out, then birch comes in,
And many flowers beside,
Both of a fresh and fragrant kin,
To honour Whitsuntide.
Green rushes then, and sweetest bents,
With cooler oaken boughs,
Come in for comely ornaments,
To re-adorn the house.
Thus times do shift; each thing his turn does hold;
New things succeed, as former things grow old.

THE CEREMONIES FOR CANDLEMAS DAY
Kindle the Christmas brand, and then
Till sunset let it burn;
Which quench'd, then lay it up again,
Till Christmas next return.
Part must be kept, wherewith to teend
The Christmas log next year;
And where 'tis safely kept, the fiend
Can do no mischief there.

Answer: Persephone

Persephone and her mother Demeter are fertility goddesses. Persephone is quite often pictured holding a sheaf of grain and a flaming torch. She was abducted by Hades and taken to the Underworld. Because she had eaten several pomegranate seeds, she was required to spend one season every year with Hades and the rest of the year on Earth. Because she was a fertility goddess, the time she spent in the Underworld was reflected in the changing of the seasons to winter, and spring signified her return.

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Socalmiguel authored all the odd questions in this Candlemas quiz (perhaps because he's even more odd than I am?) *teehee*

SilverMoonsong authored all the even questions (because they were the only ones left). ;)

We hope you've enjoyed all of these Guild Christmas Quizzes as much as we have enjoyed creating them for you!