In the United States, we celebrate Easter with
sunrise services, bunnies, eggs, and baskets. Few Americans know
the interesting Easter customs of other lands and times.
For example, we owe the tradition of wearing new
clothes on Easter to first-century Christians. Then, baptisms generally
took place once a year and people dressed in new white gowns for
the occasion. Those who had already been baptized wore new clothes
to indicate that inwardly they had risen to a new life in Christ.
A special Easter communion was preceded by a time of soul-searching,
repentance, and mending of quarrels. From this we derive the idea
of LENT.
THE UNITED KINGDOM
Today in the British Isles, Easter is observed
much as it is in the United States. In the past, however, customs
were quite different.
In Suffolk, 12 old women were chosen to play ball
on Easter Monday-no one seems to know why.
Another old custom called "lifting" occurred
on the two days following Easter. On Easter Monday, men lifted
their wives and women friends in chairs covered with white fabric
and decorated with colorful ribbons. The following day, the ladies
lifted the gentlemen in the same way. The custom was said to be
a memorial of Christ being raised from the grave.
In olden days, the king or queen customarily washed
the feet of the poor on the Thursday before Easter. The regent
washed the feet of as many people as his or her age.
The Welsh customarily decorated the graves of
family members and friends on Easter Saturday. Decked with flowers,
the graveyard became a reminder of the promise that, because of
Christ's resurrection, Christians also will one day be raised from
the dead.
FRANCE
The church bells hand silent from Good Friday
until Easter morning. The legend is that the bells do not ring
because they go to Rome and come back bringing gifts. When the
bells ring on Easter, the children go outside to collect Easter
eggs and candy that have "fallen from the sky."
Following church on Easter Sunday, people dressed
in their best throng the streets, exchanging greetings. "Heureuses
Paques (Happy Easter)!" Occasionally, one may hear the strange
greeting "Happy New Year!" This is an ancient carry over
from the time when Easter sometimes feel on the same day as the
beginning of a new year.
GERMANY
Some Germans think it is good luck to eat green
food on Thursday before Easter. At one time, some even believed
that if they didn't eat a green salad, they would turn into donkeys.
We get our tradition of the Easter bunny who hides
eggs from the Germans. A traditional children's game played on
the Saturday night before Easter calls for rolling eggs on tracks
made of sticks. On Easter night, huge festival fires are lit on
the hilltops.
ITALY
In Italy, a visitor to the house never refuses
the Easter eggs that have been blessed by the priest for this event.
Usually the eggs are placed in the middle of a sweet bread that
has been shaped into a chick, bunny, or doll. Making these special
breads is a favorite family activity.
On Holy Saturday in Florence, two white oxen may
be seen on the streets, drawing a cart filled with flowers and
fireworks-a custom that dates back to the crusades. The cart finally
stops by the door of the great cathedral, where wires are strung
from it to the altar inside the church. When it touches the cart,
fireworks are ignited. Immediately, the firebird dashes back to
the church. If it times its return to the altar to beat the explosion
of the cart, all is well. Superstitious people watch intensely,
for they believe if the trip isn't timed just right the crops will
suffer the following year.
EASTERN EUROPE
The practice of coloring and decorating eggs dates
back to the Middle Ages in many countries. In Poland especially,
decorating eggs became an art form. Hungarians adorned their eggs
with red flowers to symbolize the blood of Jesus. Egg decorators
in Yugoslavia used the letters XV, which stood for christos valkrese
of "Christ is risen."
The Polish also take their Easter foods to the
priest on Saturday for a blessing. They arrange food on green leaves
in a large basket. Could this be the source of our American custom
of Easter baskets?
Russians celebrate Shrovetide (the week before
Easter) with pancakes called blini, which is where we got our dish
called blintz.
SWEDEN AND NORWAY
It is customary to bring budding branches from
flowering trees into the house. In the warmth of the home, the
buds burst open just in time for Easter. Sometimes the branches
are made into Easter trees and hung with colored eggs or feathers.
On the night before Easter, children go around
in costumes delivering holiday letters and cards. They also set
off fireworks.
GREECE
People carry lighted candles at midnight services
Easter Eve. The worshippers leave the church with their candles
lit. Many believe it is good luck to keep them burning until they
reach home.
On Easter Day, a special bread is eaten. It is
called the Bread of Christ. A Greek cross representing the Crucifixion
is always marked on its top crust and the bread loaf is decorated
with Easter eggs.
On Easter Monday, traditional folk dances are
performed.
SOUTH AMERICA
The Lent of Easter is preceded by a great frolic
known as Carnival. This takes place on Shrove Tuesday and is celebrated
with parades, band music, dancing, and hilarity. Once Lent has
begun, however, all the church traditions are devoutly kept, especially
during Passion Week.
On Palm Sunday, known there as Flower Sunday,
people place the palm branches they have brought home from church
behind their doors. They believe this assures the household of
good luck and peace throughout the coming year.
On Holy Thursday, a Last Supper is re-enacted
in the church. On Good Friday at 3 p.m., the priest removes the
image of Christ from the cross. It is placed solemnly in the sepulcher
and is visited by worshipers the rest of the day and evening. In
South America, Easter Sunday is the most important religious day
of the year.
SOURCES:
"Lilies, Rabbits and Painted Eggs: The Story
of the Easter Symbols by Edna Barth (New York: Seabury, 1970).
"The Lion Easter Book" compiled by Mary
Batchelor (Batvia. IL:Lion, 1987)
"It's Time for Easter," by Elizabeth
Hough Sechrist and Janette Woolsey (Philadelphia Macae Smith, 1961).
Copied from "Vision" March 1997 - Vol.
XLII, No. 6