Easter trivia

This year, surrounded by so many people observing all the Easter traditions to the letter, I asked myself where some of those traditions come from. Here are some facts I found on the Internet - I think it's interesting to know.


Christians celebrate Easter to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some aspects of modern Easter celebrations, however, pre-date Christianity. According to the Venerable Bede, Easter derives its name from Eostre, an Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring. A month corresponding to April had been named "Eostremonat," or Eostre's month, leading to "Easter" becoming applied to the Christian holiday that usually took place within it. Prior to that, the holiday had been called Pasch (Passover), which remains its name in most non-English languages (including Russian - MO).


In Medieval Europe, eggs were forbidden during Lent. Eggs laid during that time were often boiled or otherwise preserved. Eggs were thus a mainstay of Easter meals, and a prized Easter gift for children and servants.
In addition, eggs have been viewed as symbols of new life and fertility through the ages. It is believed that for this reason many ancient cultures, including the Ancient Egyptians, Persians, and Romans, used eggs during their spring festivals.



Hares and rabbits have long been symbols of fertility. The inclusion of the hare into Easter customs appears to have originated in Germany, where tales were told of an "Easter hare" who laid eggs for children to find. German immigrants to America -- particularly Pennsylvania -- brought the tradition with them and spread it to a wider public. They also baked cakes for Easter in the shape of hares, and may have pioneered the practice of making chocolate bunnies and eggs. ((c) www.factmonster.com)


In Russia (and Armenia) Easter baskets are decorated with beautiful cloths and filled with foods that symbolize Christ's resurrection and new life. Every basket must have kulich, a tall, dome-shaped bread that has become the symbol of Russian Easter. Accompanying the bread will be paska - which means Easter in Russian. This sweet, creamy "cheesecake" which takes at least two days to make, is usually formed in the shape of a pyramid. In Russia, it is made with a soft farmer's cheese, heavy cream and eggs. The basket also is likely to have sliced meats, a bottle of wine, and a hard-boiled egg - dyed red using onion skins - to represent Christ's tomb. After the blessing, the food is eaten as part of the Easter celebration. People greet one another by saying "Christos voskrese" or "Christ is risen." The reply is "voistinu voskrese" or "truly he has risen."

During the Lenten fasting season of 40 days before Easter, Armenian families put lentils or other sprouting grains on a tray covered with a thin layer of cotton, and keep it in a light place of the house until Easter when sprouts appear. These green sprouts, symbolizing spring and awakening of nature, are the “grass" on which people place colored eggs to decorate the Easter table. ((c) www.armeniainfo.am)