ANNUAL RITUALS EASTER EVENTS COVER IT ALL, FROM CHICKENS TO COLORED EGGS.Byline: Holly Edwards Staff Writer Perched atop his owner's head in a colorful sombrero som·bre·ro n. pl. som·bre·ros A large straw or felt hat with a broad brim and tall crown, worn especially in Mexico and the American Southwest. and poncho, the iguana iguana (ĭgwä`nə), name for several large lizards of the family Iguanidae, found in tropical America and the Galapagos. The common iguana (Iguana iguana ``Hinny'' peered curiously back at the small crowd around him as he waited his turn in the Blessing of the Animals celebration on Olvera Street Olvera Street is in the oldest part of Downtown Los Angeles, California, and is otherwise known as the birthplace of the City of Angels or El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument and is a department within the city. . Wearing flowers, ribbons and festive costumes, nearly 1,000 animals were led through the procession to be sprinkled with holy water and blessed by Cardinal Roger Mahony His Eminence Roger Michael Cardinal Mahony (born February 27, 1936) is an American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. He currently serves as the fourth Archbishop of Los Angeles, and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1991. - an Easter tradition in Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. for 72 years. The animals ranged from household cats and dogs Cats and Dogs A slang term referring to speculative stocks that have short or suspicious histories for sales, earnings, dividends, etc. Notes: In a bull market analysts will often mention that everything is going up, even the cats and dogs. ; to farm animals such as cows, pigs and chickens; to exotic reptiles, snakes and parrots. ``I believe that all creatures, whether people or animals, should be blessed because we're all God's creatures,'' said Nancy Islam, 46, of Santa Monica Santa Monica (săn`tə mŏn`ĭkə), city (1990 pop. 86,905), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1886. Tourism and retailing are important, and the city has motion-picture, biotechnology, and software industries. , wearing an Easter bunny nose, ears and tail and holding a toy poodle poodle, popular breed of dog probably originating in Germany but generally associated with France, where it has been raised for centuries. There are three varieties, differing in size only. wearing a bright pink and blue polka-dot dress. ``And in these troubled times, all of us need a little fun and sunshine.'' The event was among many held around Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, on Saturday as Easter neared. Egg hunts were held throughout the city, including those at the Valley Indoor Swap Meet in Van Nuys, the Valley Plaza Recreation Center in North Hollywood, and Sherman Oaks' Castle Park. Those organizing today's sunrise service at the Hollywood Bowl say Easter rituals have a special meaning this year in the face of intensifying world violence. The theme for today's event - the doors were to open at 3 a.m. for the 5:30 a.m. service - is the healing power of unity and peace. ``It's more important than ever to recognize there is one Earth, one creator and one human race, and there's no reason for religion to divide us,'' said Cecilia Matta of Tujunga, who creates the wardrobe for the sunrise service. ``I really hope people take this thought away from the service and make it a part of their lives.'' During Saturday's animal blessing ceremony - first organized by Olvera Street merchants in 1930 as a show of gratitude to the services provided by animals - Mahony prayed for the animals' health and longevity. Those attending said it is also important to recognize the importance of animals in our lives - whether we are using them for food, clothing or companionship. ``I've been coming here for 55 years because I think there should be one day a year where animals take precedence over humans,'' said Jirayr Zorthian, an Altadena ranch owner who was riding his horse and wearing traditional Turkish clothing. ``I love animals and we all need to appreciate them.'' Dozens of animals from Zorthian's ranch - chickens, ducks, pigs and llamas - were adorned with flowers and led through the blessing ceremony by ranch hands wearing colorful clothing. Other owners said they hoped the blessing would bestow good luck on their pets. Michelle Rausch, 26, of Burbank brought her pet lizard after he lost two toes when he snagged them in carpet fibers. ``I thought he could use some help so I brought him here. I hope this changes his luck,'' said Rausch, as her lizard, ``Kraken Kraken giant snakelike sea creature. [Dan. Folklore: Merca tante, 194–195] See : Monsters ,'' slipped from her hands. ``Oops, well, maybe not.'' CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1 -- 2) A dog, above right, laps holy water from its face after being sprinkled Saturday by Cardinal Roger Mahony, above, during the Blessing of the Animals. Olvera Street has marked the event since 1930. Eric Grigorian/Special to the Daily News (3) An Easter egg is about to be snatched from its hiding place during Saturday's hunt at Johnny Carson Park in Burbank. Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer |
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