Procession

A procession ( advance lat. process first, progress; meaning ' Bittprozession " also Latin rogatio of rogare pray, beg ) is a religious ritual in which a group of people in an orderly according to certain rules solemn procession or handling, mostly on foot takes, . In the secular field meet her pageant, parade, procession, demonstration.

Catholicism

A distinction in processions basic types whose aspects overlap frequently:

• The functional procession ( designed walking), at Mass, for example, the ( formal ) collection and the offertory procession
• The theophoric ( the deity or divine entraining ) procession, carry and show a revered object or symbol, for example, of the Blessed Sacrament in the Corpus Christi procession or any other Sacrament procession, the procession of palms or relics processions
• The mimetic procession ( mimicking a salvation-historical or mythological events ), such as the Palm Procession, Good Friday procession
• Flurumgänge or Flurumritte based on Germanic law and religious customs, which each landowner once a year had to walk around his property in order to maintain the ownership of or avert dangers, such as hallway or processions, hail processions or tab processions in honor of ( Rider ) Holy or Easter ride
• The demonstrative procession ( placed in motion assemblies ), for example, a newly ordained bishop ceremonial escort to the bishop's house, procession with the casket at the church funeral.
• Since the Second Vatican Council and the image of the church has become determinative as " wandering people of God ", the center of which Christ is the " bread of life ".

In the Corpus Christi procession, the theophoric (introduction of the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance ) and the demonstrative element overlap. With the four-time presentation of the Gospel and the issuing of the sacramental blessing in all directions and the city also elements of Flurumgänge be included. In the Rhineland, the Eucharistic procession is in some places called God costume ( trahte from MHG to wear noun).

In processions, the process of formal transgression is crucial, as it is characteristic of pilgrimages and pilgrimages that they a - lead target - often far away. Pilgrimages are often made ​​on the last piece before reaching the target, about the way from the outskirts of the pilgrimage to the Sanctuary, as a procession ( " gathering " of the pilgrimage ).

During a procession litanies, psalms or hymns prayed or sung or the rosary may be prayed. Catholic processions in Central Europe are often accompanied by brass bands. This intone hymns or Prozessionsmärsche designed to promote the devotion and facilitate the common walking. The roadsides and houses are often decorated by flags, fresh branches and flowers. In the Bavarian Alps and the Austrian Alpine region, instead of the procession usually red flags so-called " handkerchiefs ", often decorated with gold borders, mounted on the windowsills of the houses. In some elaborate carpets of flowers are placed on the processional. Previously also " triumphal arches " on the road were common, today as " triumphal arch " in Marden at Amoeneburg in Hesse.

Special forms of the procession are

Hinduism and Buddhism

Even in Asian religions, such as Hinduism or Buddhism, processions are an important part of religious life.

History

Greece

Procession were important parts of several ancient cults. The best known example is the Panathenaic procession from Athens to the Acropolis.

Rome

The study conducted in a fixed order of the parties Pompa at the beginning of circus events ( pompa Circensis ) or theater ( pompa theatri ) was since the 1st century BC, an integral part of public life. Similarly, there was funeral processions ( pompa funebris ) at funerals. Imperial triumphs ( pompa triumphalis ) formed an important part of the political life of the Dominats. In the East they have rarely been since the end of the 4th century, the Emperor's public appearances have now found mainly in the racecourse, the Byzantine equivalent of the football stadium instead.

Christian East

The Christian authors were pagan processions ( pompae ) as a pagan custom that would have to stay away from as a devout Christian because of the Emperor and polytheistic cult (see pompa diaboli ). At Easter, but a procession of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem took place in Christian churches since at least the 4th century. Processions were also held during the transfer of relics, such as John Chrysostom describes about for 398 and 403 ( Phocas of Pontus ). The number of participants of such processions was also a significant predictor of the strength within the Church fractions. A rich furnishings could certainly strengthen the attraction of the respective faiths. Also, the transfer of the relics of Chrysostom 438 was accompanied by a procession.

626 there was a procession around the walls of Constantinople Opel to fend off an attack of the Avars and Persians, led by the Patriarch Sergios ( 610-638 ), who wore an icon with the image of Christ. Since the beginning of the 9th century, the mantle of the Mother of God was carried out of the church the Theotokos in the Blachernae in such processions.

Under the Patriarch Timothäus are for Opel Constantinople from 511 by Theodore Lector regular weekly processions demonstrated in this case, to the church of Theotokos Chalkoprateia.

Late Antiquity

To 470 held Mamertus as evidenced by a letter of Sidonius Apollinaris, a procession in Vienne, which probably led to the city walls. The first written documentation procession in Rome was 590 under the direction of Gregory the Great to St. Maria Maggiore and instead had to ward off the plague.