Rood Day

May 3rd is known as Rood Day in Scotland. A day dedicated to the Holy Cross and was instituted by Constantine. In many cities churches were known as Holyrood. In cities or burghs where the Roman faith was strong Rood Day became an important festival. There was also a Rood Day in Lent:

This is the ay they ca' the Rood-Mass and the morn the Beltane, and it behoves decent bodies to be indooors the darkenin' on Beltane's Eve. My faither was a bauld man, but he widna have stirred a fit over his ain doorstep on the night o' of Rood-Mass for a king's ranson. there's anither Beltane on the auch day of may and tell that's by we maun walk eidently.
Witchwood, John Buchan 1924.

Also know as the eve of Rood Day or Red E'en. The Rood Day in barlan, was held at the time of the sewing of the oats in Caithness.

You can find more articles in the archive under Fada 's Farsaing (Far and Wide)

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