Easter traditions.

4/7/2023

Easter traditions are beautiful and so different in every country and religion. Easter is a significant religious holiday celebrated by Christians worldwide. Each country has its own unique way of celebrating this event, with distinct customs and traditions.

I was born in Romania and I am baptised as an orthodox Christian but have been living in the UK for over 8 years now, where most people are Catholic. I am also married to an English man so in our house, we celebrate both Catholic and Orthodox Easter. We get to enjoy both celebrations.

I wanted to compare traditions in both countries, my beautiful Romania and my adoptive country, the United Kingdom. We are different somehow, but very similar in some ways.

Romania

In Romania, Easter is one of the most important religious holidays, and it is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm. The preparations for Easter start on Thursday when people dye eggs red, the traditional colour of Easter, as a symbol of the blood of Christ. The eggs are then blessed on Holy Saturday during the Easter vigil service.

On Easter Sunday, people attend church in their best clothes(you need to buy something new to wear) and take part in the holy mass. After the mass, they break the fast by enjoying a feast of traditional dishes like roasted lamb, cozonac (a sweet bread made with nuts and raisins), and pasca (a cheese-filled bread). It is also a common practice to visit family and friends during this time and exchange greetings and blessings.

Another unique tradition in Romania is the "Salubritate," where children go door to door with a basket of eggs, flowers, and herbs and sing Easter carols in exchange for treats.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, Easter is also an important holiday, and it is celebrated with various customs and traditions. One of the most popular traditions is the giving and receiving of chocolate Easter eggs, which are a symbol of new life and rebirth.

In the weeks leading up to Easter, people in the UK participate in the Lenten season by giving up something they enjoy or doing good deeds for others. On Good Friday, which is a public holiday in the UK, people attend church services, and many also observe a day of fasting.

On Easter Sunday, families gather for a traditional roast dinner, which usually includes lamb or beef, roast potatoes, vegetables, and gravy. Children also take part in Easter egg hunts, where they search for hidden chocolate eggs in their gardens or local parks.

The United Kingdom also has its own unique Easter parades and processions, such as the annual Hat Parade in Luton and the Preston Passion, a re-enactment of the passion of Christ performed in the streets of Preston.

Although the Easter traditions in Romania and the United Kingdom are different, both countries share a common belief in the significance of this religious holiday. Whether it is through the exchange of greetings, the sharing of traditional food, or the giving and receiving of Easter eggs, these customs serve to bring families and communities together to celebrate the joy and hope of Easter.

Have a Happy Easter friends!