EASTER. 25 
1605 — 1621. 
In the ritual of Pope Paul V., made for the 
use of England, Ireland and Scotland, occurs 
this benediction : 
“Bless, O Lord, we beseech thee, this thy 
creature of EGGS, that it may become a whole- 
some sustenance to thy faithful servants, eating 
it in thankfulness to thee, on account of the 
Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 
It had been the custom of the pagan priest 
to bless offerings of eggs. The line “ Creep- 
inge to the cross with egges and apples,” shows 
that Christians continued the custom. 
A sermon preached in England in 1570 men- 
tions that certain ones on Good Friday “ offered 
unto Christe Egges and Bacon to be in his favor 
till Easter Day was past.” 
An entry among the household expenses of 
Edward I. of England, of eighteen pence for 
four hundred eggs for Easter, shows the obsery- 
ance of the custom at that period and the ex- 
treme cheapness of eggs. 
