Easter in Britain and America

Today, Easter is one of the most important festivals of the year and is celebrated by Christians all over the world. For Jews, it is a reminder of the Exodus from Egypt, Catholics and Orthodox is so revered Resurrection of Jesus Christ. With the adoption of the Gregorian calendar in 1582 during the Catholic Easter has changed somewhat, with the result that to this day the United Kingdom (UK) and United States (US) celebrate Easter later the Jews, but in the past the Orthodox. This year for the British and Americans on April 8 Easter (Orthodox — 15 April).

However, it should be recalled that of the Easter for Catholics and Protestants precede Ash Wednesday (this year — 22 February) — the first day of Lent, Palm Sunday (April 1) — Passionate Sunday. Why is it in English zuchit as «Palm Sunday»? Yes, because in ancient Rome, there was a tradition to welcome the royal family and to know the palms. So when Jesus came into Jerusalem on the day, which is now called the Palm Sunday, the crowd greeted him with palm branches. Today Passionate Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, which will end by Easter Sunday. Then it is followed by Good Friday (Good Friday — April 6) and Easter Sunday (Light Sunday, April 8).

And what are the traditions of English-speaking Catholics associated with Easter?

Firstly, of course, Easter Eggs. Since ancient times, the egg is a symbol of rebirth. Long before it became the largest Christian Easter holiday, people exchanged decorated chicken eggs, which symbolize wealth and abundance. Christians adopted this tradition and the Easter egg became a religious symbol, embodying the resurrection of Christ, the beginning of a new life. In the Middle Ages, during the celebration of Easter has been a tradition to treat the servants and children cartouches eggs.

Nowadays, Easter eggs appear among the traditional attributes in two forms: the «real» and chocolate. These eggs are boiled first and then decorate a variety of ways (in many schools in Britain and the United States satisfied with the whole competition!). The most common methods of decoration will boil eggs in water, which had been previously added food coloring (used onion skins for obtaining a beautiful yellowish orange color). When the eggs are ready, arrange so-called egg-rolling festivities. For this fun fit any convenient lawn, covered with grass and always very hard-boiled eggs (boiled eggs «boiled»).

Chocolate eggs are beginning to appear on Vetrin stores almost immediately after Christmas, to the general annoyance of customers. Nevertheless, they have already become a traditional attribute of Easter in Britain.

Another feature related to this wonderful holiday is The Easter Bunny (Easter Bunny). This is a modern innovation dates back to pagan celebrations. The goddess Eostre (the name is consonant with the English name of Easter — Easter) esteemed Anglo-Saxons in its earthly incarnation hare (by the way, on the territory of modern Britain rabbits at that time were not found, they later brought the Norman tribes).

Another feature is considered to be a tradition to wear new clothes for Easter. This custom dates back to the origins of the Church. Converts who were baptized during the period between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, dressed in clean white clothes and wore it throughout the Easter week as a sign of a new beginning. People baptized previously wore robes of white, but put on new clothes, so as to divide the new life of Christ. In the Middle Ages, when every new article of clothing was a luxury for the common man, dressed in their new Easter clothes, people went for a long walk before attending church. It is this tradition gradually turned into a Easter parades and tradition to wear special «Easter Hats» (Easter Bonnets).

In America, the tradition of sharing okromya pleasant Easter eggs, people also send holiday cards to relatives and friends. Interesting fun awaits children who will find chocolate eggs, hidden in secret places parents at home. When all the eggs are found, they can be eaten as a well-deserved prize. The same tradition is revered and in the White House, where it is called Easter Egg Hunt.

Since we’re talking about the American government, we note that of the British Queen has its Easter traditions. Every Easter Thursday she visited Westminster Abbey, or any other church to give some money to the poorest parishioners. The number of people gifted Queen, whenever it corresponds exactly to the age!

And finally, speaking of Easter, we should not forget the culinary traditions that accompany this great holiday.

In Britain, for example, it is impossible to imagine Easter without Hot cross buns — special rolls of pastry. Before baking on top of each bun cut out a cross, hence the name. Hot cross buns with raisins or currants eat with Good Friday throughout the Easter holidays. There is even a special children’s song about Easter delicacy:

Hot cross buns,
hot cross buns,
one a penny, two a penny,
hot cross buns.

If you do not like them,
give them to your sons,
one a penny, two a penny,
hot cross buns.

 

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