Lenten Rose

The Lenten Rose is not truly a rose but a helleborus, a perennial flower that resembles a rose.  It is called the Lenten Rose because in some parts of the world it uniquely blooms during the spring and winter.  It has many beautiful colors of white, yellow, and purple.

 

 

Roses were banned in the early Church because at the time the flower was viewed as symbol of paganism, orgy, and lust.  Church writer and critic Tertullian wrote an entire volume denigrating the flower.  In about 202 A.D., noted theologian Clement of Alexandria forbade Christians to adorn themselves with roses. 

Helleborus orientalis