Shrove Tuesday Quiz

Dear Friends in Christ -

We had a great time at the pancake supper. We even had entertainment! It was provided by those who came to eat; they didn't know that they would also be the stars of the show!

Those gathered answered the questions of the Great Shrove Tuesday Quiz put together by Rev. Janet (with the help of Wikipedia and a few other websites). See how well you do with the questions . . .

Faithfully rejoicing (and loving those pancakes! - thanks, Byron and crew!!)
Janet+

SHROVE TUESDAY QUIZ

1. What does the "shrove" in "Shrove Tuesday" mean?
Shrove is the past tense of the word "shrive," which means 'to obtain absolution.' The root of the word comes from the Middle English 'shriven' or 'schrifen' meaning to write or to prescribe (related here obviously to a priest prescribing a penance for a sin)

2. Why is it Shrove TUESDAY and not Shrove Monday or Shrove Thursday?
Because it immediately preceeds Ash Wednesday, which is on a WEDNESDAY!

3. What is another name for Shrove Tuesday?
FAT Tuesday. This name derived from the practice of consuming especially rich foods before the fasts of the season of Lent.

4. What does the English "Highway Act of 1835" have to do with Shrove Tuesday? (This is an especially tricky one - and, no, it doesn't have anything to do with taxes!)
As far back as the 12th century, "mob football" was a game played as part of community celebrations of Shrove Tuesday. It was played on public roadways. The Highway Act of 1835 banned the playing of football on public roadways.

5. Who traditionally participates in a pancake race, and how is it done?
Women are the tradition participants in a pancake race, in which participants run a certain distance while flipping a pancake in a skillet a certain number of times. Currently a "Great Pancake Race" is part of a famous Shrove Tuesday celebration competition between the towns of Liberal, Kansas and Olney, Kansas.

6. When is Ash Wednesday? (Yes, some smart aleck said 'tomorrow' - which, while true, was not exactly the point!)
Ash Wednesday is 46 days before Easter. Lent is a celebration of 40 days, which does NOT include the six Sundays that occur during the season.

7. Why are black ashes used to mark peoples foreheads on this occasion? (Yes, some smart aleck said, 'because white ashes don't show up.' Again, while true, not the point!)
Using black ashes as a sign of repentance echoes a Near Eastern tradition of throwing ashes over ones head to signify repentance before God.

8. Is receiving ashes a sacrament?
No. Ashes blessed and used on this occasion are considered a 'sacramental' - a material object that is blessed and set apart to 'excite good thoughts and increase devotion.'

9. What are the three traditional spiritual disciplines of Lent?
Prayer, fasting and almsgiving (giving to help those in need)

10. Name someone in the Bible who fasted?
Jesus, Moses, Elijah
What was the effect?
To cause them to rely less on their own strength and more on God