Easter: history, symbols and traditions Короткова Дарья ученица 10 класса МБОУ СОШ №18 им. А.П. Ляпина ст. Урухской Руководитель: Прокудина Светлана Николаевна должность: учитель английского языка

Do you know… When people celebrate Easter? What do they celebrate? What are the symbols of Easter? What do people do at Easter?

About Easter (о Пасхе) Easter - is the oldest and the main Christian holiday. It is set in honour of the Jesus Christ`s resurrection. Easter comes in spring (in March or April).

Easter eggs and Easter cakes (or paskhas) are the traditional symbols of the religious holiday. Paskha is a traditional dessert served in Russia as well as other Eastern European countries. The name of the dish comes from “Pascha“, the eastern orthodox celebration of Easter. On that day the religious people go to church and listen to the ceremony. Usually they bring with them Easter eggs, salt, Easter cakes, butter, cheese and ham.

There are many symbols of Easter There are many symbols of Easter. German settlers to Pennsylvania brought with them the story of the Easter Bunny. Children believed that if they were good, the Easter Bunny would lay a nest of colored eggs. Because rabbits are known for producing a lot of young, especially in the springtime, they symbolize new life. As the Easter Bunny custom spread across the country, it led to other traditions such as Easter baskets and gift giving

Birds lay a great number of colorful eggs in the spring which has brought about the use of Easter eggs, egg dyeing and egg hunts. Long ago, the egg was honored during many springtime festivals. Egg dyeing was popular in ancient times and continues to be popular today. To the Christian, the egg represents the rebirth of the earth and of man.

When is Easter? Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon in spring. That’s why it’s on a different date each year. The word “Easter” comes from “Eostre”, the Anglo- Saxon goddess of spring. Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. Many people celebrate the beginning of spring.

This holiday dedicates to Jesus Christ resurrection (воскрешению Иисуса Христа)

Traditions Easter is also the end of Lent, traditionally a time of fasting in the Christian calendar. So it is often a time of fun and celebration. The Friday before Easter Sunday and the Monday after are a bank holiday in the UK. Some people go to church to commemorate the death on the cross of Jesus Christ.

Traditions There are also Easter parades in the UK and in America. People wear Easter bonnets, decorated with spring flowers. On the Friday before Easter people in England enjoy the traditional Good Friday breakfast of hot cross buns. The special Easter Sunday lunch includes roast lamb and traditional Simnel cake.

Symbols One of the oldest spring symbols in the world is the egg. Eggs are a symbol of a new life. Exchanging and eating Easter eggs is a popular custom in many countries. In the UK before they were replaced by chocolate Easter eggs real eggs were used, in most cases, chicken eggs.

Symbols There are many Easter symbols in Great Britain: Easter Eggs, Easter Bunnies, Chicks. The most important symbol in England, as in Russia, is eggs. They are a symbol of spring and new life. All families colour eggs and put them into green, yellow and pink baskets.

The eggs were hard-boiled and dyed in various colours and patterns The eggs were hard-boiled and dyed in various colours and patterns. The traditionally bright colours represented spring and light. Nowadays people give each other Easter eggs made of chocolate, usually hollow and filled with sweets.

Palm Sunday Palm Sunday, the week before Easter, is known as Willow Sunday. People bring home willow branches which have been blessed in church.

Easter Monday Easter Garden Easter Tree Green cloth Candle Marbles Flowers

Easter games with eggs There are two Easter games with eggs: “Hunt the egg” and “Egg rolling”. The legend says an “Easter bunny” hides eggs in the garden and children have to find them on Easter morning. Sometimes the eggs are put in a basket. Egg rolling is very popular in England and it’s an Easter Monday sport. Children roll hard-boiled eggs down a hill

Easter table in England. On Easter Sunday people eat a traditional roast dinner with lamb, potatoes and vegetables. The table is usually decorated by chocolate nests for eggs, chocolate eggs and hares from dough. Sunday morning hot cross buns are given for tea. Friends and relatives give each other chocolate eggs in which sweets are hidden

Easter parades Easter parades were also once an important tradition, during which people would wear their new clothes. Later the family would gather for Easter lunch or dinner, which in England traditionally consisted of roast spring lamb with mint sauce, potatoes and green peas. There was time to rest from the celebrations the next day, since Easter Monday is traditionally a holiday in Britain.

Dressing Up For Easter Easter was once a traditional day for getting married, that may be why people often dress up for Easter. Women wear special Easter bonnets — decorated with flowers and ribbons. Even today in London there is a special Easter Parade, where hand-made bonnets are shown off.

Easter Food Hot cross buns, now eaten throughout the Easter season, were first baked in England to be served on Good Friday. These small, lightly sweet yeast buns contain raisins and sometimes chopped candied fruit. Before baking, a cross is slashed in the top of the bun. After baking, a confectioners’ sugar icing is used to fill the cross.

Maundy Thursday In England today the Queen follows a very traditional role off giving Maundy money to a group of pensioners. Every year on this day the Queen attends the royal service in one of the cathedrals and gives money to poor people.

Аnswer the questions On what day of the week is Easter celebrated? What symbol of Easter did the German settlers bring with them? 2. What do rabbits symbolize? 3. What are two other customs that came from the Easter Bunny tradition? 4. What does the egg represent to the Christian? 5. What do Americans traditionally eat on Easter?

Here Comes the Easter Bunny Here comes the Easter Bunny. My friend, the Easter Bunny. Here comes the Easter Bunny hopping along, singing a bunny song. I love the Easter Bunny. My friend, the Easter Bunny, Here comes the Easter Bunny, hop, hop, hoping along. There goes the Easter Bunny. My friend, the Easter Bunny. There goes the Easter Bunny hopping along, singing a bunny song. I love the Easter Bunny. My friend, the Easter Bunny. There goes the Easter Bunny, hop, hop, hoping along

Our Easter will be soon. We congratulate you with this holy and light day! We wish you to meet it with joy and hope! Happy Ester!