Christian symbol for Easter absent

6 days ago

6 days ago

I am a lifetime subscriber-reader of The Sun, and think you do a good job of representing the communities of Greater Lowell. One important exception comes to mind, however. 

In the not too-distant past, The Sun printed a religious symbol for Christmas and Easter of the front page of the paper to the left or right of "The Sun" on the day of the particular Holy Day. Just last week, the religious symbol for Passover appeared in this spot as did the menorah symbol in December for Hanukkah. Last year, on the Greek Orthodox Easter, a symbol of the tomb of Christ was printed with the white shroud of Jesus hanging over it. I expect that on May 5, the Orthodox Easter this year, you will print it again. All that is good and in keeping with your reputation as an inclusive publication. 

But as I sit here on Easter Sunday night and take time to write this letter, I see a big yellow chicken and decorated eggs over The Sun, masthead and no religious symbol where other faiths' symbols have appeared. Christians and Roman Catholics who celebrate Easter are no different than Orthodox Christians in our belief about Christ's resurrection, yet a symbol to honor our tradition is conspicuously absent. I think I speak for many other Christians and Catholics who wonder why we have been left out of the loop on our holy day. 

Please reconsider printing on the front page, as you have in years past, for Christmas and Easter, some symbol for the true meaning of our holy days. The Nativity scene and the empty tomb are excellent examples. I also seem to remember that on Good Fridays in the past, you printed the hill of Calvary with three crosses. 

I don't know why traditionally Christian and Catholic religious symbols have been missing. I only hope that you will put us back on the front page with a small, but meaningful, symbol on our holy days.


BARBARA (HOWES) DURIS
 Lowell
Editor's note: The reader makes a good point concerning the Easter Sunday masthead. The traditional Christian symbol was used in 2009 and 2010, when the Western and Eastern Orthodox Easters coincided. The Sun will use it for both holy days in the future.