In 2022, Catholics celebrate Easter on April 17. Interestingly, the main tradition – the festive service – was initially held on Saturday and was moved to Sunday morning in the 14th century. This change was made to allow the faithful to prepare for the holiday: tidy up their homes and prepare treats.
On Saturday, morning rituals of blessing two elements – water and fire – are performed. They strike a spark and light a new fire (the light of the soul). Everyone can light an Easter candle and use it to light candles in their homes, carrying the light into their abode. The wax of such a candle was believed to have miraculous properties: protecting from evil forces and thoughts. The blessed water helps to restore health and protects against ailments; it is given to children and consumed by adults, added to food and beverages. The Catholic fasting is less strict than the Orthodox one; for example, the prohibition on meat is only on Fridays and Ash Wednesday (the Wednesday before Easter).
Ash Wednesday is named after the tradition of sprinkling holy ashes on the head: the ritual is a repentance for sins committed personally and against our Savior Jesus. The ashes become holy because they are obtained from burning last year’s palm branches.
Traditional Easter dishes – eggs, cottage cheese pascha, and buns – are brought to the church for consecration on Saturday or Sunday. Eggs can be not only boiled; raw ones can also be brought to the church, and then used to make an omelet or scrambled eggs. A beautiful Catholic tradition is when a girl gives a decorated festive egg to her beloved as a symbol of victories and good beginnings.
The obligatory table decorations are candles, baskets of red-tinted decorated eggs, flowers, and Easter bunnies. On this religious holiday, it is customary to give gifts not only to children but also to adults – family, godparents, and loved ones. Traditional gifts include kitchenware, napkins, towels, sweets; for children – toys and rabbit-themed accessories. Throughout Easter week, believers attend church services, and street performances on religious themes continue.
