Write, if you have any answers to the questions listed at the end of this section, or to add to the answers below.

Your answers

. . . Can one use pink on Advent 4? [Answers, 18 November]

You are, of course, correct that the origin of the use of rose vestments on Advent 3 and Lent 4 relates to the two introits for those days. But very few churches still use these introits. Advent and Lent 4 have both become Marian Sundays in the current lectionary, and this is most welcome. It is appropriate to adjust the liturgical colour to recognise this.

The tradition that Mary must be represented in blue is purely Western; in my collection of Greek icons she is usually in red, and sometimes in green. In medieval poetry, Mary was praised as the “Mystic Rose” and the “Rose without a Thorn”; isn’t this an excellent opportunity to honour her with rose vestments on these days?
(The Revd Dr) John Hare

Your questions

How probable is it that the cross Jesus was crucified on had been used for previous crucifixions, or that it was subsequently used for other crucifixions after the death of Jesus?
J. P.

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