Because there are processions?
If we don't have to worship the saints, because there are processions for them?
A procession (to proceed, to move on, push forward, proceed) it is an organized body of people who advance in a formal or ceremonial manner. In Catholicism, a sacred statue is carried through the streets to be venerated for a specific liturgical feast (Jesus, Mary or the Saints) followed by the people in procession. E’ also widespread the practice of funeral processions to important human beings, such as the pope or other illustrious personage.
Elements of the procession
- Mode of transportation of the statue (the statue is often carried on the shoulders by people dressed in theme);
- The accompanying music, which can be sacred or funeral, based on the occasion, and serves to arouse emotions. It can be played by an orchestra;
- The order of precedence (bishops, priests, mayors, church people, they come before ordinary people);
- Costumes and clothing. In the case of the funeral procession of the statue of Christ which takes place on Good Friday, or of the Madonna dressed in black because in mourning, they will all be dressed strictly in black, and women, with lighted candles in hand, they will also have a black veil on their heads, mourning sign. In the case of a more cheerful village party, like the feast of the patron saint, the atmosphere will be festive and there will also be entertainment such as flag-wavers in period costumes and theaters.
Origin of the processions
The processions developed widely during the Middle Ages, but they find their origin at the beginning of Christianity as a political power, during the first centuries AD. Christianity found itself in replace paganism weather. Indeed at that time, when Emperor Constantine introduced Christianity as an official religion, various pagan practices and festivals were widespread, including that of going in procession with statues of various gods. Then the gods were replaced with biblical characters, with the aim of introducing and making known and accepting the new Christian religion.
This pagan practice was then maintained over the centuries, and we find it today in Roman Catholicism, in Eastern Orthodox churches and in the Anglican church. Religious processions are widespread in all religions and in all world beliefs. In addition to the old classical paganism, Egyptian and Greek, we find them in Buddhism, in Hinduism and African religions.
The Reformation abolished processions in all Protestant countries, and together with them, the doctrine of transubstantiation (Body of Christ), the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. It also abolished the rites associated with the cult of the Blessed Virgin and saints. The simplicity of the rite and creed of Calvinism, indeed, he would not tolerate religious processions of any kind, and thus they disappeared altogether from the Reformed Churches.
The more conservative and traditionalist character of the Anglican and Lutheran communion, however, he maintained these processions at the beginning, even if over time they fell into disuse.
Conclusion
The reasons why processions are widespread find their origin in politics and power and certainly have nothing to do with the Bible, Christianity and what the first Christians taught..
