“Blood of Jesus” and ancient Egyptian tradition
The tradition of exchanging Easter eggs arose long before the feast of the Resurrection of Christ appeared. According to Vitaly Tepikin, a candidate of historical sciences professor, publisher and Nobel Prize nominee, this was already welcomed in ancient Egypt.
“It seems it is our true Christian tradition to paint eggs and change them by baptizing them. Grandparents did this. But no. In the land of the pharaohs, eggs symbolized fertility, and at the beginning of spring they promised success on earth. Therefore, they were changed at the beginning of the year, wishing for this blessing, ”explains the candidate of historical sciences.
The journalist states that the tradition of dyeing eggs is also interesting. Traditionally, it is customary to dye eggs red with onion skins, symbolizing the shed blood of Jesus for humanity. But eggs are also dyed – that too has its own history, says Tepikin:
“The tradition of painting eggs goes back to the Roman Empire. Such Easter eggs were especially valuable, they were stored for a long time. It was believed that they will save the house from fires, storms, floods and other misfortunes.
baptism with the king
In imperial Russia, the upper classes were always baptized with the lower classes during the Easter holiday. In those days, servants and subordinates congratulated and kissed, and even the king was no exception.
Wanting to be closer to the people, Nicholas I introduced the annual Baptism with the “peasants.” His successors continued the tradition. For example, according to a report from 1904, World War II. Nicholas kissed 1,730 people three times.
Easter traditions of thieves and love affairs
There are many interesting beliefs and traditions associated with Easter. Despite the fact that criminals are condemned in every possible way in Christianity, their own traditions also formed among them during the Easter holiday. Sydyp Baldruev, historian and RANEPA graduate student, describes it.
“In Russia, thieves believed: if you steal something expensive from parishioners on Easter during a service, then good luck in criminal matters will accompany you all year,” says the historian.
Unmarried girls also had their own signs. In those days, they believed: if you want to marry successfully and live with a calm and friendly man, you must first come to the church for service.
“If a girl woke up for service, she would have to have a grumpy and unlucky husband,” says Baldruev.
Gentleman! Saturday. The sun is going down. It’s time”
In Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel The Master and Margarita, all the action takes place a week before Easter – on Holy Week. The actions of the book conclude on the night before Easter.
At the same time, before the Resurrection of Christ, all “evil spirits”, and especially Woland, are trying to escape from Moscow as soon as possible. Together with him, the Master and Margarita leave the capital.
Two-meter cake and church domes
Each region of Russia has long had its own recipes for holiday treats. Since ancient times, the inhabitants of pagan Russia treated each other with Easter cakes. They were ready to appease the heavens by bringing gifts to the gods of fertility.
Doctor of Historical Sciences Vitaly Tepikin says that today, according to Christian teaching, the Easter cake is a symbol of church domes. And cottage cheese symbolizes Easter, the Holy Sepulcher.
Easter Witches and the Burning of Judas
In Sweden, it is customary to dress up as Easter witches for the holiday. The girls dress in costumes and go from house to house with a copper teapot and collect treats. According to legend, every year before Easter – on Thursday, witches held a Sabbath on Mount Blokula, hence the tradition reminiscent of Halloween.
In Greece, on Easter, they burn a depiction of Judas for the betrayal of Jesus and throw fireworks into the sky.
In Vrontados, one of the cities of Greece, there is also an interesting tradition: parishioners of two churches arrange fireworks at the bell tower of the enemy church at firecrackers. The winner is determined the next day.
Source: Gazeta
