In the ancient cultic religions of the Middle East, worship of the mother/child gods was commonplace. Much of that has been syncretized into Catholicism.
Making cakes to worship her was a common practice of veneration of female deity.
Someone asked if the "hot cross buns" of today (does anyone still make them?) were a modern tie to mariolatry - worship/veneration of Mary and a throw-back to this ancient custom.
Thoughts? Further information or ideas?
Hot Cross Buns
Discussion in '2004 Archive' started by Dr. Bob, Sep 29, 2004.
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My impression was that they are indeed related to the four phases of the moon, but that the cross that divided the buns into four sections was simply Christianised to picture the cross, hence the tradition of eating them on Good Friday.
I had not heard of the marian implications.
They are so popular here that it is hard to buy them on Good Friday. -
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Where are these distinctions towards Mary and the saints found in the Bible? -
It is semantics of Catholicism. I've discussed it on Other Religions with some. They do not "worship" Mary; they "venerate". To a Baptist, there is NO REAL DISTINCTION between them in the big picture.
Bowing and praying and "making cakes to the Queen of Heaven" are all outward signs of worship.
Since RC cannot post here, I am looking for this thread to stay on topic on FACTS abou the hot cross buns. Thanks. -
I got interested in this because of the goddess connection. Here is what one site says:
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Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_cross_bun
says
So far, I saw no connection to Mary. -
The Tradition of Hot Cross Buns
Hot Cross Buns have a mixed history. Some say they were part of pagan spring festivals and later given the cross by monks wanting to give Christian meaning to the the tradition. Other accounts speak of an English widow whose son went off to sea and she vowed to bake him a bun every Good Friday. When he didn't return she continued to bake a hot cross bun for him each year and hung it in the bakery window in good faith that he would some day return to her. The English people kept the tradition for her even after she passed away.
Holiday traditions often have pagan, as well as Christian roots and many times the symbolism has been changed over time to adapt to those using it in their celebrations. I have found that what really matters is what value the tradition has in our own families, and our own communities.
Brenda Hyde -
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I know the bakery that my wife and I worked for in Granite Falls, MN made hot cross buns for the local Catholic church several times a year.
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Not doubting their tie to Catholicism. I am questioning their tie-in to Marianism and their application to the verse above.
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Think the RC phrase "Queen of Heaven" is part of the surface tie-in. Mary is worshiped (in spite of RC protestations) and called Queen of Heaven. So is Tamuz/child goddess from the Jeremiah text.
The common denominator is the pagan cakes/buns to Queen of Heaven (Tamuz) and modern hot crossed buns to Queen of Heaven (Mary). But I do not think there is a CONSCIOUS tie-in.
Appreciate the good info/links on pagan origin. -
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Hot cross buns are not made to Mary. There is nothing Marian about them even in this Marian country.
They supposedly symbolise the cross. -
As long as the variety dozen from Tim Hortons is OK
That being said, most if not all of our modern and traditional celebrations of holidays derive themselves from ancient pagan culture and practice. Probably many that we can't even track down at this point