Lithuanian Catholics' anti-Semitic tradition
Lithuanian Catholics have an incredibly odd, and I would say bigoted, Lent tradition of dressing up as heavily stereotyped, grotesque Jews -- haggling peddlers with big noses, sidelocks and hideous features. The Forward has the story and reports that Jews in Vilna don't complain because they don't want to cause conflict.
During Carnival — or Uzgavenes, as it is known in Lithuania — Catholics from around the world congregate for a feast of foods prohibited during Lent. The festival usually involves a parade or circus, with attendees in masks and costumes. But in Vilnius — commonly known to Jews as Vilna — participants traditionally dress and act “as Jews,” a feat that generally calls for masks with grotesque features, beards and visible ear locks and that is often accompanied by peddling and by stereotypically Jewish speech.
And I thought Mardi Gras was a strange, unholy tradition.
This article was cross-posted at The God Blog.
Posted by Brad Greenberg on February 10, 2008 1:45AM
Comments
Great example of how not all cultural traditions are worth keeping up....
Posted by: Lorin at February 11, 2008
Christian anti-semetism is a veiled enmity of the cross of Christ --a modern day, large-scale, all-time version of the burning bush in the desert!(Ex. 3)
Posted by: Ephrem Hagos at February 12, 2008
As a member of the human race, i believe that it was my sin that nailed Jesus to the cross. J.Inglis
Posted by: j. inglis at February 12, 2008
Nicely put, J.
Posted by: Brad A Greenberg at February 12, 2008
Any Christian who is involved in anti-semetism is an enemy of JESUS our LORD because he is or was a Jew and the Gospel of salvation comes from jewish hands.This person is an anti-Christ. Olaf
Posted by: Olaf Raasch at February 14, 2008
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