Easter is a symbol of awakening life, strength, endurance and fertility. For Christians, it is the biggest feast of the entire year. They are commemorating the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Before Easter there are 40 days of fasting. Season of fasting starts with Ash Wednesday and during this period of time Christians are not attending parties or any festivities, they don't drink and they don't eat as much as they normally eat. Some might don't eat meat at all. It is considered as a season of spiritual recovery.
Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday is the Christian holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter. It commemorates the Washing of the Feet (Maundy) and Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles, as described in the canonical gospels. The oil is sanctified during the Mass. It is a symbol of strength and also the bells are tied up - as a symbol of sadness they stay quiet and they don't ring during mass.
Good Friday
Masses are not taking place during this day. People are commemorating the passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary. During this day, Christians eat only once and the meal must be lenten.
Holy Saturday
Christians commemorate the final day of Christ’s death, which is traditionally associated with his triumphant descent into hell (Harrowing of Hell is the triumphant descent of Christ into hell between the time of his crucifixion and his resurrection when he brought salvation to all of the righteous who had died since the beginning of the world. After his death, Jesus descended into the realm of the dead.) The celebration may include lighting fires and candles to symbolize Christ’s passing from death to life and tolling bells to signify the joyous end of Lent.
Easter Sunday
The day of the celebration the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the New Testament as having occurred on the third day after his burial following his crucifixion. After mass priest sanctifies baskets with food like butter, ham, bacon, eggs, beetroot and bread. They never throw away remains of sanctified food they eat the next day or give it to the animals.
Easter Monday
Easter Monday has its own tradition in countries in Central Europe - water and spanking. It described the situation when young guys visit every house in the village where they have single girls, they sprinkle them with water and spank them with whips made of willow branches. Please note that “sprinkle” is a mild word here. Sometimes the guys come with water buckets. This treatment is always held on Easter Monday and is believed to bring health and beauty to the females. The more guys visit the girls' homes, the prouder the girls should be – well, women and girls may think differently. In many regions and bigger cities, water buckets have been replaced with perfumes, a cup of water or a water pistol. However, in some villages you may still see young men, sometimes dressed in traditional folk costumes and girls are dressed in these costumes too. Guys get rewarded for this action and in return, they receive painted eggs, sweets, money and from a certain age, the guys are poured a glass (or more) of local spirits as well.
You can watch the video of girls being sprinkled here.
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