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Easter is a time for joy and happiness, symbolising new beginnings and rebirth - as Christians give thanks for the resurrection of Christ. Throughout the world, people celebrate Easter – considering it to be as important an event as Christmas. On Easter Sunday, Christians attend church in the morning and younger family members are given Easter eggs - varying from simple hard-boiled eggs with shells painted in brilliant colours, to exquisite chocolate confections with outer shells made from marzipan or chocolate.
Easter: A week of hope and rebirth
Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus after his crucifixion, which happened on the day we now call Good Friday. All Christians believe he rose again three days later, , a period known to the Church as the Easter Triduum. Easter starts on Ash Wednesday - the first day of Lent, lasting 40 days. During this period Christians fast, or give up a particular food or bad habit. This fasting period is to mark the time when Jesus went into the wilderness and fasted for 40 days - in spite of all the temptations Satan tried to entice him with.
(For the smokers or heavy drinkers amongst us, or people given to frequent snacking between meals – this would be a good time to give up these bad habits).
Easter week, also known as Holy Week, includes Maundy Thursday, on which day Jesus and his 12 disciples partook of the meal which is known as the Last Supper. At the time, Maundy Thursday was the time of Passover - a Jewish celebration. That’s why, the disciples and Jesus were sharing a meal together. And Good Friday is what Lent has been building up to - Jesus' death. To us it might seem a tad strange to call a day someone died as 'good' but at the time it actually meant 'holy'.
Easter traditions around the world
In Spain, people who have done something wrong and are penitent, will walk through the streets wearing long robes and hoods, carrying a big cross.
In the United Kingdom, pastors and vicars of churches carry the cross and lead their congregations through their towns before the Good Friday service.
In Central and South American countries there are often processions with statues being carried to the church.
In Greece there's are also processions but these seem more like funerals. Some services put up tombs as a reminder of Jesus' death.
What is Easter Sunday?
It marks the day when Jesus is said to have risen from the dead, generally called the 'resurrection'. Easter Sunday also marks the end of Lent. But, what's that got to do with chocolate eggs? Eggs are associated with Easter because they have long been considered a symbol of new life. This helped early Christians remember Jesus' resurrection.That is why at Easter we see lots of chicks, lambs and other young animals - it reminds us of the continuation of life.
Typical, traditional foods for Easter Weekend
While in India we have modified the traditional Easter foods we inherited from the early European missionaries, we continue to follow certain age-old recipes that are still closely associated with Easter.
Hot Cross Buns traditionally served on Good Friday. A Hot Cross Bun is a rich, spiced tea cake. These doughy buns are stuffed with raisins but have a cross marked on top. This cross represents the crucifixion of Christ and the spices inside represent the spices put on his body.
Boiled eggs are traditionally served at breakfastThe egg is considered a symbol of resurrection by Christians: while being dormant it contains a new life sealed within it.
Other Christians symbolically link the cracking open of Easter eggs with the empty tomb of Jesus.
Roast lamb, is the traditional meat for the main meal on Easter Sunday. Roast lamb was the main dish for the Jewish Passover, hence the tradition continues for Easter, along with bread and wine.
Simnel cake has been served at Easter since medieval times. It is a light fruit cake with an almond filling and marzipan topping… and is usually served with 11 marzipan balls on top to represent the 12 apostles, minus the traitor Judas.
Easter biscuits - a traditional gift, given by the British, on Easter Sunday. Originating from the West Country, these are lightly spiced, with the currant-studded soft, round biscuits possessing a soft, sugary crunch. Most often, Easter biscuits are slightly bigger than conventional British biscuits.
Just remember, at the end of 40 days of fasting or giving up your favourite foods, it’s very easy to binge or over-indulge in your favourite Easter delicacies. Keep in mind that moderation should be the key word during the celebrations on Easter Sunday!
