Easter

Easter is a Christian Holiday commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the son of God. In the early days of the Christian Church the followers celebrated Easter at the same time as the Jewish Passover. Easter falls between March 22 and April 25, on the first Sunday after the first full moon.

The forty days before Easter are known as Lent and is traditionally a period of fasting and self-denial. It begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday, the Sundays are not counted. The forty days symbolize the 40 days Jesus fasted in the wilderness before he began to preach. 

The final day before Lent is called Shrove Tuesday (the name comes from the old custom of being shriven or confessing) . It is known as Pancake Tuesday by some. The name came from the time when people were not allowed to eat eggs, butter or milk during Lent. Making pancakes used up these ingredients. 

The French call Shrove Tuesday Mardi Gras, meaning "Fat Tuesday." It refers to the practice of parading a fat ox through the streets of towns on this day. The French introduced the Mardi Gras around l766. Instead of Pancakes it is celebrated with carnivals and parties. Carnival comes from Carne Vale, meaning good bye to meat. Traditionally Carnival was the last chance to feast before Lent.

Ash Wednesday comes the day after Shrove Tuesday, marking the beginning of Lent. The ancient custom called for covering the head with ashes to show sorrow for any wrong doings. The ashes are a symbol of penance and are traditionally made from palms or branches that are burned and blessed having been used in church on Palm Sunday of the previous year. 

The Fourth Sunday is called Laetare Sunday. In England this Sunday is known as Mothering Sunday. Originally this Sunday was a day the Pope would carry a rose in his hand while celebrating mass.  It was a day young and unmarried servants were allowed to return to their homes before Easter to attend services at the Church where they grew up. Gifts would be placed by the altar. Over the years, however, the meaning has extended and now people bring gifts to their mothers and are expected to take over the Mother's chores for the day.

Palm Sunday is the day Jesus rode on an ass into Jerusalem. People spread branches of date palm and olive trees on the path before him. In some churches crosses are made of palm and blessed before being handed back to the worshippers. Some Catholic Churches include a solemn procession. Some believe that the annual ritual of housecleaning or spring cleaning came from the custom of sweeping dirt from church floors and scattering it in the fields for good luck.

Maundy Thursday

This is the Thursday of Holy Week where Christians recall the last meal Jesus ate with his disciples. Here he commanded the disciples to love one another and washed their feet to show his devotion to helping and serving others. In some churches the cross is covered with a white veil and bells ring throughout the service being then silenced until Saturday morning. In some countries the children are told that "the bells have gone to Rome" and that they will bring eggs with them on their return.

Good Friday

This is a reminder of the day Jesus died on the cross. The telling of the crucifixion is nearly universal in Churches and many carry out long processions with life statues involved in the story are carried through the streets. On the return to Church candles are blessed and handed to the worshippers.

Holy Saturday

This day is the blessing of the Easter fire. Outside the Church, the priest of church official strikes metal against flint and the resulting spark represents the coming of light into the world with the resurrection of Jesus. It is also believed that it is connected to the ancient tradition of celebrating the longer hours of daylight in springtime. The new flame is used to relight all the candles and lights. Some countries hold processions with rattles and noisemakers or large paper dolls of Judas that will later be destroyed.

Easter Sunday

This is the climax of the celebration and the day the Christians believe Jesus was resurrected and rose from the dead. White Easter Lilies are usually used to decorate Churches, beautiful music is played, and the services are held at dawn or sunrise outdoors. People generally dress in new spring clothes which is considered to be lucky. This is the beginning of the Easter Parades where people strolled about just to see what everyone was wearing. Eastern dinner with family and friends finished the celebration.

Worldwide the Catholic religion observes Lent. This is a time in which meats, cheese, butter, eggs and fats are given up (fasting). Others may give up something of personal importance.

In Britain - On the day before Lent, the British celebrate Shrove Tuesday. Pancakes are eaten, there are pancake races and sins are forgiven. On Good Friday spicy Hot Cross Buns are baked with raisins and marked with a cross on top.

In Bulgaria the symbol of Easter is a bright Easter egg. Bread is important in the celebration. One bread has an odd number of red eggs encrusted into it. It is then taken to Saturday services and blessed. After midnight services the eggs are cracks. One egg is cracked against the church wall. It is the first egg eaten after the Lent fasting.

In France the day before Lent is called as 'Mardi Gras' (Fat Tuesday - also in the U.S.). There are festivals, parades, parties and gala balls.

In Germany people dance around bonfires singing Easter songs on the evening before Easter day. The Germans are visited by the Easter Hare who leaves a basket of goodies.

In Holland Children make wreaths and carry them from house to house on Palm Sunday asking for eggs.

In Ireland - A Pruthog, a special dancing contest, is held on Easter. The best boy & girl dancer win a cake and divide it with everyone. Also, eggs rolled down hillsides (also Scotland).

In Italy, Spain, Portugal and Latin America fireworks are set off on Easter Saturday. Lamb is often eaten for Easter dinner.

In Mexico - Capirotada is eaten - a dessert made of sliced rolls, raisins, pecans, tomatoes, onions and more. The Friday before Good Friday altars are set up in home with the image of 'Our Lady of Sorrows'. They are decorated with many things along with figures representing the story of Salvation. During Holy Week most everyone is on vacation.

In Scotland -The Scottish have an egg white diving where the yolk is saved to make bannochs (bread).

In Sweden children dress as witches delivering Easter greetings to friends. To scare actual witches off, firecrackers are lit.

In Ukraine - Pysanki eggs are decorated. These eggs are made with a special method called batik.

In the USA children participate in egg decorating and egg hunts. The night before Easter, the Easter Bunny visits the homes of children leaving baskets of candy, toys and other goodies. Women often wear orchid corsages and lilies are often purchased to decorate the home. The President of the US holds an annual egg roll on the lawn of the White House. There are Easter parades.