Easter

It’s crammed with tourists, vendors, and shops. It feels very commercial, even during the holiest time of the year; yet for Christians it is the most sacred place on earth. When I visited Jerusalem in 1983, I was in awe of many things, but in particular walking those steps Jesus walked during his final moments. The Stations of the Cross are now shops and privately owned buildings, with the final stations, heavily adorned with ornamentation, being located in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It was Christmas Eve day in 1983 when a local man took my friends and I on a short walk by some of these stations along Via Dolorosa.

The man stopped at the fourth station, only recognizable by the Roman numeral IV on the building. Here he said, “I don’t know if it’s the actual spot or not, but I do know that 25 years ago I used to buy hummels here.” It was certainly not what I expected, but had it not been for this self-appointed tour guide, I may have missed it all together.

Walking those same steps along Via Dolorosa as Jesus did was truly a moving, humbling experience that I will never forget. Some skeptics wonder if certain events happened in the exact spot the tourist guides showed to us. To me, it did not matter. I was in Jerusalem.

The celebration of Easter, which this year falls on April 5, is the most sacred day among Christians worldwide. It is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus following his crucifixion. But just how it is celebrated is different throughout the world.

In the United States, we have Easter bunnies and colored eggs. While these instantly conjure up the image of an Easter celebration, if one really stops to think about it, what could they possibly have to do with the most sacred day in Christian religion?

While nothing is known for certain, there are theories that abound; the most popular reason is that in ancient times an egg symbolized new life. In fact, eggs used to play a large role in pagan celebrations marking the beginning of spring – a time of hope. For Christians, it means more than new life. It is a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus. So why do we decorate the eggs? This tradition goes back 800 years and originated because eggs were a food Christians were forbidden to eat during the Lenten season. At the end of the Lenten season, it is said that people would then decorate and eat them to mark the end of their penance and fasting.

The tradition of the Easter Bunny is one that originated with German immigrants who came to this country in the 1700s and comes from the symbol of the rabbit representing fertility and new life.

While foreigners may think our traditions are odd, there are several other countries around the world whose traditions are equally unique and, without explanation, may not appear to be sacred at all. But a look into their meanings can help to understand some of their celebrations.

In Poland, one needs to make sure they are wearing his or her rain gear on Easter Monday. The tradition, referred to as Smingus-Dyngus, has young boys gathering buckets of water, hoses and water guns to try to soak girls with water. It is said that girls who get drenched with water will be married in the upcoming year. The water is a symbol of baptism and the tradition is believed to have stemmed from the baptism of Polish Prince Mieszko which took place on Easter Monday in 966 AD.

A Hungarian Easter tradition is a twist to that of Poland’s. There they perform what they refer to as “sprinkling” on Easter Monday. Instead of water, boys will sprinkle perfume or scented water on a girl and ask for a kiss. The symbolism behind this ritual stems from the belief that water was cleansing, healing and also able to induce fertility.

For Norwegians interested in reading a good crime novel, Easter is a time they look forward to with anticipation. For nearly a century, publishers in Norway choose Easter time to release crime novels. It is said to have started when a publisher promoted its crime novel on the front page of newspapers in Norway during the 1920s. Although it was an ad, people were fooled into believing it was actual news. While not related in any way to the Easter celebration, it is one of the most publicized traditions in this Scandinavian country.

Traveling to Bermuda on Easter? You will be treated to colorful skies as people fly kites symbolizing Jesus’ ascent into heaven.

In Rome, the Pope devotes Good Friday to observing the Way of the Cross, a solemn devotion that recalls with mindful affection the last stage of the journey that Jesus walked before he was crucified. This takes place at the Coliseum in the heart of Rome. Easter Sunday, the Pope celebrates with the thousands who travel from around the world to congregate in St. Peter’s Square waiting for the Pope’s blessing from the balcony on this sacred day.

While Easter traditions may differ throughout the world, one thing remains constant. Christians gather to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and the gift of eternal life.

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