In 2014 we celebrate Easter on April 20. This ancient church celebration in its history has changed its appearance, traditions and time more than once.
The celebration is accompanied by such familiar rituals from childhood as dyeing eggs, baking Easter cakes, christianity. However, the meaning and history of these symbols is not familiar to everyone. Therefore, today we publish Top 10 interesting facts about the holiday of Great Easter.
10. History of the name of Easter
The word "Passover" comes from the Hebrew "Passover" - "passing by." The tradition of celebrating Passover came from the Jewish people. The Jews celebrated the exodus from Egypt for 7 days a year. The English name for the holiday "easter" comes from the altered name of the ancient goddess of dawn Ishtar.
9. Why do we celebrate Easter
Christians, starting from the 1st century AD, celebrate Easter in honor of the bright resurrection of Jesus Christ. In a number of countries, Easter has the status of a public holiday. Orthodox and Catholic Easter rarely coincide in date.
8. Why does Easter change the date every year
The holiday always falls on a Sunday, but its date is calculated according to the lunisolar calendar. Easter can "fall" on any Sunday between April 4th and May 8th.
7. What is Easter egg
Pysanka is a hand-painted Easter egg. The traditional Easter egg is prepared like this. A pattern is applied to the egg with hot wax using a steel feather, then the egg is dipped in the first paint. After that, a new pattern is made with wax and already dipped in a different color. At the end of the work, the wax is piled over a candle or burner. For preservation, the contents of the Easter egg are blown out and the shell is filled with wax. By the way, an egg dyed in one color is called dyeing.
6. How is the Easter service
Easter service begins in the churches at midnight from Saturday to Sunday and continues until morning. Believers bring eggs and Easter cakes to the temples for lighting, which will be served on the table on Sunday.
5. What does it mean to "christen"
To rejoice in Christ means to greet each other with a threefold kiss and the words: "Christ is risen!" - "Truly resurrected!" The custom dates back to apostolic times and is described in the New Testament.
4. Why are Easter cakes baked for Easter
Easter cake is a symbol of artos, church bread intended for Christ. The word "kulich" came into our language from Greek, where it means "pretzel". In southern Russian and Ukrainian cuisine, Easter cake is called Paska.
3. What does the Easter bunny mean
In the culture of Western Europe and the USA, the image of the Easter Bunny is popular - a symbol of spring and fertility. For example, children in Germany believe that a hare will bring a gift and a basket of colorful chocolate eggs only to obedient kids for Easter. In Europe and America, 60 million chocolate bunnies are eaten at Easter.
2. Than Western Easter despairs from Eastern
In the Orthodox tradition, among the rituals performed on Easter are dyeing eggs, consecration of eggs, Easter cakes, greeting kissing.In Catholicism and Protestantism, gifts are given at Easter, chocolate eggs are hidden around the house, which children are looking for, and houses are decorated with images of the Easter bunny.
1. Why do we paint eggs
The egg is a symbol of rebirth and fertility. Ancient Christians painted Easter eggs exclusively in red in memory of the shed blood of the crucified Christ. Today, colored chicken eggs are present on the Easter table mainly among the Slavs. And in Western Europe and the USA, they give chocolate eggs for Easter.