Easter is one of the brightest and most anticipated holidays for believers. By Easter, a lot of Easter cakes and eggs, various decorations and postcards are piled on store shelves. What makes this holiday attractive and how is it celebrated in other countries?
history of the holiday
Easter is celebrated on Sunday, and this is no accident: the word "resurrection" is formed from the word "resurrect". On this day, Jesus rose from the dead. After he was crucified, the body was carried to the cave. The cave was guarded by guards. Jesus left her, despite the fact that a large stone blocked the passage: this stone was not even budged.
The absence of the body of Jesus was discovered by women who came to anoint him before burial. There they were met by angels who notified that Jesus had risen from the dead.
Easter is celebrated in honor of the reconciliation of life and death, the unity of God and humanity.
Easter Symbols
Many traditions have lost their relevance, and now almost no one remembers them. For example, earlier in Russia, in honor of the holiday, celebrations were held with round dances and songs, where people rejoiced and rejoiced at God's miracle.
A symbol of Easter is also a colored egg. By tradition, it should be red (onion peel was used for this in Russia). It is customary to give eggs to each other or play them in cue balls. Whose egg will be stronger when they hit the opponent’s egg, he won.
And of course, Easter is not complete without Easter cake. It is customary to bake from the dough with the addition of raisins. On the surface should write "XB", which means "Christ is Risen."
Features of Easter in Russia
In Russia, Easter in 2015 falls on the next Sunday, April 12th. Orthodox Easter announces the end of Lent. It is worth noting that Lent in Russia lasts more than a month and requires strict abstinence from certain foods. But on the feast, the Orthodox are allowed to eat everything, including red wine - Cahors.
On the night of Saturday to Sunday, there is a service in the church, marked by a procession of the cross. On Sunday, parishioners bring Easter cakes and painted eggs to the church, where the priest (clergyman) lights them up and reads prayers.
Another tradition that no Orthodox Easter can do without is evangelism. Cities and villages are filled with the sound of bells that announce the resurrection of Christ, a great miracle.
Features of Catholic Easter
The Catholic Church celebrates Christian holidays with the Orthodox Church, however, there are some features. Catholic Easter also has differences. The number it falls on is April 5th.
Before the holiday, silence reigns in the houses. Easter in Germany, France and other European countries is a bright and kind holiday, but you can’t have fun before it, because Jesus suffered very much these days, he was beaten for a long time and then crucified on the cross. The crucifix was public, Jesus was bleeding and tearing.
Preparation for the holiday begins in advance, with baking cottage cheese cakes and egg coloring. It is necessary to greet acquaintances with the phrase "Christ is Risen", to which it should be answered: "Truly Risen."
It is worth saying that Easter is not the most important Christian holiday that Catholics celebrate. Christmas is preferred when Jesus comes into the world to appeal to humanity.
Christian holidays in Germany
Germany is the birthplace of many Christian traditions. If you ask what holidays in Germany are popular in addition to Christian holidays, you can notice an amazing thing: there are practically no official non-religious holidays. Of course, the Germans celebrate New Year, the fall of the Berlin Wall , etc. However, Easter in Germany, like many Christian holidays, is a weekend that the Germans spend in the family circle. For students, even Easter and Christmas holidays are provided.
In Germany, they treat religion with awe. It was she who helped the Germans restore the country and peace of mind after the Second World War, and it was she who gave and gives faith and hope.
How is Easter celebrated in Germany?
In Germany, the holiday begins on Friday. Mourning masses are held on this day.
Bonfires are lit everywhere on Saturday. This is a bit like the Russian Shrovetide. The bonfire symbolizes farewell to winter, and also all negative emotions and memories “burn” in it. He also drives away evil spirits.
On Sunday, the holiday reaches its climax. Breakfast includes fish (a traditional holiday dish), desserts and tea. Some German families eat lamb (Easter) for Easter. This custom is associated with Jewish traditions, because lambs were most often sacrificed.
Interestingly, the celebration of Easter in Germany is related to politics. Specially organized Easter marches are held. Now this tradition has lost its relevance, in cities in the march involved no more than three thousand people. But in the middle of the 20th century, these demonstrations continued even for several days!
Symbols of Easter in Germany
Eggs and Easter cakes are a common tradition of the Catholic Church. Interestingly, in Germany people never paint eggs themselves: in supermarkets they are sold in assortment. Children love Easter very much; for them they often buy chocolate eggs (Kinder-surprises).
German Easter has a few more characters. The first symbol is a daffodil flower. Germans associate Easter with the end of winter and the onset of warm springtime. Therefore, in every house for Easter should be a bouquet of daffodils, one of the first spring flowers.
As at Christmas, at Easter in Germany, houses are decorated with wreaths. Only if at Christmas the wreath, as a rule, consists of bells, decorative flowers and spruce branches, then for Easter it is collected from the first spring flowers, barely blossoming buds. They are lit in the church, and then hung on the door or in the house. Such an Easter wreath is a symbol of spring and the renewal of nature.
Easter in Germany does not do without an Easter rabbit or a hare. It is believed that this fluffy cute animal brings colored eggs. Children so believe in its existence that sometimes fathers even specially dress up in rabbits to give them colored eggs, and with them indescribable joy. It is believed that the Easter Bunny brings eggs only to children who behaved well. In addition, the Easter bunny is a symbol of good luck and wealth. Therefore, this day can not do without it.
Easter is a great occasion to gather the whole family at the festive table. Although the customs and traditions of the celebration of Easter in Russia and Germany are different, the atmosphere of the holiday is the same and gives only positive emotions. Easter almost always has good weather. Young people in Germany tie ribbons to trees, thereby decorating them.
Warm sunshine, fresh air and loved ones - what else is needed for a good holiday?