winged genius Perseus, the constellation which, anciently, was in
conjunction with the Vernal Equinox; Paschal candles, lit from the new
fire, were distributed to the faithful and the Paschal feast, Easter
feast, or the feast of the passover, was eaten in commemoration of the
passion of the incarnate saviours, or, in other words, of the passage
of the sun across the celestial equator. In ultra-Catholic countries
the descent of the sacred fire is represented by some secretly arranged
pyrotechny, and the credulous laity, believing they have witnessed a
miraculous display, eagerly solicit Paschal candles lit from it; and in
imitation of the ancient festivities in honor of the return of spring,
all Catholic churches, and most of Protestant ones, are adorned with
flowers, the bells ring out their merriest peals, and "Gloria in
Excelsis" and other jubilant songs, similar to the lays of the ancient
Hilaries, are sung.


Annunciation.

The anniversary of the Nativity having been placed on the 25th of
December, according to the course of nature, the 25th of March was
anciently celebrated as the anniversary of the annunciation, and is
still observed on that day, and the duty of saluting the Virgin (Virgo)
and announcing her conception by the Holy Ghost or third person in the
Trinity was assigned to the genius of Spring. In the Chaldean version
of the Gospel story the name of Gabriel was given to this
personification, and in the Christian version of that story he is made
to perform the same office; see Luke i. 26-35.


Ascension.