When the armies of Napolian swept over Europe, one of his generals made a surprise attack on the little town of Feldkirch, on the Austrian border. As Napolean's formidable army maneuvered on the heights above Feldkrich, a council of it citizens were hastily summoned to decide whether to surrender or attempt a defense. In this assembly the pastor of the church arose to declare: "This is Easter Day. We have been counting on our own strength, and that will fail. This is the day of our Lord's resurrection. Let us ring the bells and have services as usual, and leave the matter in God's hands. We know only our weakness and not the power of God." The council accepted his plan, and in a few minutes the church belfry chimed the joyous bells announcing the Savior's resurrection. The enemy, hearing the sudden peal, concluded that the Austrian army had arrived during the night, broke up camp, and before the Easter bells had ceased, the danger had been lifted.

– Unknown

Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday is celebrated on Thursday of Holy Week. It is to celebrate the institution of the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion. "Maundy," is a corruption of the Latin mandatum, meaning "command." It is derived from the text John 13:34, where Jesus says, "A new commandment I give to you."

Maundy Thursday was instituted early in the so-called Great Week of the Eastern Orthodox churches. It not only commemorates the Last Supper, but also includes the reenactment of the foot washing done by Jesus on that evening. From the Middle ages until today many churches, including the Roman Catholic, washed feet as part of the humility proper for Lent. More recently Protestant churches have revived the rite, and the Catholic church has stressed it by the participation of the pope in its observance.

Sources: The Dictionary of Bible and Religion, William Gentz | The Bible Almanac, White

Easter Quotations

One trouble with the churches is that too many people want to have Easter without Calvary?

Lawrence Pearsall Jacks

On Easter Day the veil between time and eternity thins to gossamer.

Douglas Horton

May Easter Day
To Thy heart say,
"Christ died and rose for thee."
May Easter Night
On thy heart write,
"O Christ, I live to thee."

Anonymous