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Easter
Is Celebrated in Many Ways!
Candles
are burned during many Easter celebrations. Many churches
extinguish candles on Good Friday to show that Jesus' light has gone
out. In Roman Catholic churches, the special paschal candle is lit on
Easter Sunday, representing Jesus' return to life.
Easter Lilies are used to decorate churches and homes.
Easter Lamb-
Many people serve lamb as part of the Easter feast or dinner. In many
homes, a lamb-shaped cake decorates the table.
Carnivals-
The most famous carnival is Mardi Gras, celebrated the day before Lent
begins. Carnivals often have parades in which people wear elaborate
costumes. The best-known Mardi Gras parade in North America takes place
in New Orleans.
Dying
Easter eggs- Exchanging and eating Easter eggs is a popular
custom in many countries. The eggs are hard-boiled and dyed in
colors and patterns. The most famous Easter eggs are made in Ukraine and
Poland, where eggs are decorated with intricate red, black, and white
patterns.
Egg
Hunts- In many countries, children hunt for Easter eggs hidden in
the home or yard. Children in the United Kingdom, Germany, and
other countries play a game in which eggs are rolled against one another
or down a hill. The egg that stays un-cracked the longest wins. Since
1878, children in Washington, D.C. have rolled eggs on the White House
lawn.
Passion
Plays- Plays dramatize the Easter story.
Feasts-
Easter Sunday is a feast day. An Eastern European custom is to have the
Easter feast blessed by a priest. The priest goes to the home, or
families may take their food to church for the blessing.
Easter
bonnets- Wearing
new hats and clothes for Easter is a common custom.
Easter
parades- Parades are a tradition in many European countries. A person holding a cross or an Easter candle leads some of
these promenades. In New York City, thousands of people stroll in the
Easter Parade down Fifth Avenue following Easter services.
Easter
fires- In many parts of Europe, huge bonfires are lighted on
hilltops and in churchyards on Easter Eve.
Hot
cross buns- One of the oldest Good Friday
customs is eating hot cross buns, small, sweet buns with a
frosting cross.
Easter Sunrise Service- Some churches have
a, Easter service at sunrise.
Easter Bells- Easter bells are rung in
France and Italy throughout the year but not on the Thursday
before good Friday. They are silent as way to remember the death of
Jesus. Then they are rung on Easter Sunday as way of telling people
Jesus is alive.
Easter Bunny- The Easter bunny fills
Easter baskets for children with Easter candy. This custom began
in Germany and then came to America. The story was that if
children were good, the Easter rabbit would lay colored eggs in a
nest. Children would use caps and bonnets for "nests."
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