Easter

History and tradition

Easter

• The greatest holiday of Christianity
• We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ
• Good Friday: the day when Jesus was crucified
• Easter Sunday: the day when Jesus resurrected

Moving holiday

• Its date is different year by year.
• It is on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox.
• Its earliest date is 21 March, its latest date is 25 April.

21 March full Moon Sunday

LENT

• For 40 days before Easter.
• Lent begins after Shrove Tuesday and finishes on Easter Sunday.
• It’s first day is Ash Wednesday.
• On this day eating meat and eggs is strictly forbidden.

The name of easter in german speech areas

• English: Eastern
• Germany: Ostern

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• The denomination comes from Ostra, the german goddess of fertility.
• The feast of the goddess was on 21 March each year.
• Cultivating the land was allowed for the peasants starting from this day.

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Easter traditions

- Sprinkling: On Easter Sunday in the morning girls put on their best clothes. Young boys from the village visit them and sprinkle them with cold water (from the well) so that they remain beautiful and young.

Easter traditions

- Red and green eggs: In return for the sprinkling the boys receive eggs painted red and green from the girls. The red egg represents the blood of Jesus and the green one represents nature’s renewal.

Traditional easter decoration

• Catkin and egg tree:

The blessing of catkin is part of the church service on Palm Sunday. The egg tree is decorated with colourful eggs.

Animals connected to Easter traditions

• Rabbit: a symbol of nature’s renewal and fertility.

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- Lamb: a symbol of revival and purity.

Traditional easter dishes

• Boiled smoked ham

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• Hard-boiled eggs

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• Brioche

Thank you for your kind attention! ☺