Easter has always been the holiday I cherish the most. I eagerly embrace the onset of spring, the crispness of the air, the emergence of new leaves, and the blossoming flowers. Above all, I relish the warmth of the spring sun and the extended daylight hours. I enjoy attending church with a basket filled with delightful treats for the priest’s blessing and the subsequent feast. Weather permitting, we frequently partake in picnics on this day and savor a leisurely stroll in the park afterward. Easter Sunday is brimming with church ceremonies, family gatherings, and delectable meals. The tradition of spraying water on girls on Easter Monday used to thrill me, too. According to ancient beliefs, girls who receive this water blessing, sometimes even being drenched with buckets of water, are believed to be destined for marriage soon.
All these aspects are important considerations, but the holiday’s true significance lies with what Easter means to me as a Christian. Easter is the time of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I, like all Christians, relish the promise of eternal life. Easter is the most important Christian holiday because it gives people hope of overcoming their sin and the spiritual renewal.
Even though Christians around the world have similar beliefs, they celebrate Easter slightly differently depending on the area they live in.
Easter in Europe
In Eastern European Orthodox countries such as Romania, Serbia, Greece, and others, Easter starts approximately 1-2 weeks later than in other countries due to the adherence to the Julian Calendar by Orthodox churches in these regions.
Greece
In Greece, the Easter celebrations are particularly festive. Churches adorn their chandeliers and icons with black and purple ribbons to emphasize the mourning in anticipation of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and burial. On Maundy Thursday, Greek households buzz with activity as women bake traditional tsoureki, a fragrant Easter brioche, and lamprokouloura, Easter cookies in home ovens. Kids dye eggs red, symbolizing joy for the rebirth of nature and the spiritual renewal associated with Jesus’s Resurrection.
Good Friday sees churches adorned with colorful flowers covering Epitaphios, a wooden stand representing Christ’s tomb. In the evening, a solemn procession, led by Epitaphios (priests), winds through the streets as psalms are chanted. On Holy Saturday morning, preparations commence for the festive dinner following the Midnight Resurrection Mass. Mageiritsa soup, a traditional dish made with chopped offal and herbs, is prepared in most Greek homes. Before midnight, people gather in church holding white candles, lit from the “Holy Light” bestowed by the priest. At midnight, people celebrate Christ’s Resurrection with drumbeats, fireworks, and the chant of ‘Christos Anesti’ (Christ is Risen). Returning home, families gather around the festive table, each holding a red egg to crack with their neighbor while exclaiming “Christos Anesti.” The one whose egg remains intact is declared the winner of the joyful tradition.
On Easter Sunday morning, people frequently cook lamb on skewers over charcoal, or they roast lamb or kid meat in the oven for the Easter meal. The mood is joyous, with people enjoying folk music and dancing.
Germany
In Germany, people embrace Easter with a fervor for decoration. One notable tradition involves adorning tree branches with painted eggs, akin to decorating trees with ornaments during Christmas in December. Beyond the festive decorations, Easter serves as a symbolic commencement of spring, prompting many to don colorful traditional attire in celebration of the season.
Poland
In Poland, families come together to observe the holiday and enjoy a hearty Easter Sunday breakfast. A highlight of Polish Easter celebrations is the babka, a traditional bread typically infused with raisins and topped with a delicate glaze.
France
Easter Monday in France brings forth a unique tradition. Volunteers in the French town of Bessières congregate to prepare a colossal omelet. Thousands of eggs are cracked and cooked to craft this immense dish. But why do they partake in this curious custom?
Legend has it that while traveling through the south of France, Napoleon and his army halted in Bessières. They sampled the local omelets, which pleased Napoleon immensely. He then commanded the townspeople to gather their eggs and concoct a gargantuan omelet for his troops the following day.
Interestingly, the town has upheld this holiday tradition since 1973!
Easter in the Americas
The Americas, encompassing North, South, and Central America, observe Easter with a profusion of diverse Easter traditions and celebrations.
In Bermuda, a unique tradition on Good Friday involves kite flying. This custom originated when a teacher sought to impart a lesson about Jesus ascending to heaven. He crafted a kite adorned with the face of Jesus and released it into the sky, symbolizing Jesus’ ascent.
In Colombia, Easter Sunday itself doesn’t typically involve grand festivities. However, Holy Week holds significant importance nationwide, with many individuals granted time off from work for part or all of the week. During Holy Week, numerous people opt for vacations, while others journey from major cities to smaller Colombian towns to partake in traditional processions and admire church decorations.
In the United States and Canada, people conventionally commemorate Easter with church services, plastic egg hunts, the age-old tradition of dyeing real eggs, and indulging in an abundance of sweets.
Africa
Easter holds importance in churches across Africa, observed from Maundy Thursday through Easter Sunday. Churches adorn their spaces with vibrant fabrics featuring butterflies, flowers, and other decorative elements. The focal point of Easter festivities in the region revolves around attending church services, particularly Easter vigils, to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus. The night vigil transitions into jubilant dancing and music as morning arrives.
In Ethiopia, Christian communities observe Faskia (a fast), a 55-day period leading up to Easter, which holds greater cultural significance than Christmas. During Faskia, individuals abstain from consuming meat and animal products as part of their tradition. People in Ethiopia spend Easter Sunday in church and at home. Whole families and communities gather to feast and celebrate.
In South Africa, the day following Easter was formally designated as “Family Day” in the 1990s. Initially known as “Easter Monday,” the holiday provided an opportunity for people to recuperate from the weekend’s festivities. Today, Family Day serves as a time for families to come together and enjoy each other’s company.
Easter in Asia
Asia, the largest continent on Earth, encompasses a rich diversity of people, cultures, and traditions.
Easter holds significant religious importance in the Philippines, a nation comprising over 7,000 islands. During this holiday, two processions take place: one involving men following an image of the resurrected Jesus, while the other has women trailing behind Jesus’ mother, Mary, who is adorned with a black veil. The convergence of these processions at the church symbolizes Jesus comforting Mary after his resurrection. Subsequently, girls dressed as angels participate in removing Mary’s veil, known as a “lambong,” sparking joyful celebrations among the people.
In India, despite Christianity being a minority religion, many people observe Easter as a “spring festival.” Although most people don’t dye eggs or decorate houses, many still approach the tradition with curiosity. As a result, many individuals purchase intricately decorated eggs as gifts for their children, maintaining the essence of the longstanding tradition.
The Pacific
The Pacific Ocean encompasses numerous islands boasting diverse landscapes. You likely recognize countries such as Australia and New Zealand within this region. Due to their location in the Southern Hemisphere, Easter falls during autumn instead of spring in these countries. Many residents of New Zealand, known as “Kiwis,” delight in consuming hot cross buns during this festive season.
In the United States, Easter often conjures images of rabbits, but in Australia, some choose not to incorporate rabbits into their Easter celebrations due to their status as pests. Instead, they embrace the holiday as an opportunity to honor the endangered Australian bilby, a creature with long ears resembling a rabbit, affectionately known as the “Easter Bilby.”
In Vanuatu, an archipelago situated in the South Pacific, a plethora of church events marks Easter week. These include a sunrise service on Easter morning, as well as the recognition of Good Friday and Easter Monday as official holidays.
Happy Easter, everyone!
