The Catholic world celebrates Easter: holiday traditions in different countries
Bright Resurrection of Christ. The Catholic world celebrates Easter – the main holiday in Christianity. This year, believers observe not only centuries-old traditions, but also modern rules of antiquity safety. Correspondent “MIR 24” Elena Shiryaeva told the details.
It is unusual today in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican – empty and quiet. Instead of 10 thousand believers at the Easter service, only 200 people. The coronavirus changed traditions, but did not cancel the holiday itself.
The cathedral is plunged into darkness – as before the Resurrection of Christ. After that, the Pope and the cardinals light Easter – an Easter candle, the fire from which is distributed to all believers. And the lights are lit in the temple.
“The Easter fire gives us hope that all trials will soon end. God gives us strength to overcome difficulties and rediscover the grace of everyday life, ”said the pontiff.
The Easter service began two hours earlier. Believers must return home by 10pm. After that, the curfew comes in Rome.
In Belarus, the Easter holiday also follows the new rules. Service on live television. Those who did not want to pray at home came to the Minsk Archcathedral Church named after the Holy Virgin Mary. On Holy Saturday, believers blessed Easter cakes, cottage cheese Easter and painted eggs. Traditional red is the color of life and victory over death.
Each country has its own Easter traditions. In Nicaragua, Catholics gather on the eve of the holiday for the procession of Good Friday. A statue of Jesus Christ was carried along the streets of Leon. Believers bowed before her, asked for forgiveness and prayed for miracles.
“This is the second Easter that we celebrate amid a pandemic. Last year we couldn't even go to the procession, we watched it online. This year we have not been able to stay at home, ”said Nicaraguan resident Lorenzo Valtodano.
And in Paris, chocolate eggs are baked for Easter.
“We also make Easter characters out of chocolate – rabbits, chickens. After all, Easter is a time for joy, ”explained Patrick Roger to the chocolatier.
It is known that the French are big chocolate lovers. On average, each resident of the country eats more than seven kilograms of this sweet a year.
“Chocolate helps us. Cheers up. Moreover, there is a good wish inside each product! ” – said the customer Sanja Jekic.
The French bought Easter sweets in advance. There is another lockdown in the country. Restaurants, cinemas and shops closed. The coronavirus has its own holiday scenario.
