Easter

Among Easter entertainment, the most popular games with colored eggs.The brightest holiday of Easter, the feast of the Resurrection of Christ, is celebrated in Austria as well as in the whole Catholic world and marks the end of Lent (starts in 40 days). The beginning of Great Lent is Ash Wednesday. In ancient times in the Catholic Church it was accepted ashes, left after the burning of palm branches from the last feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, to sanctify and distribute publicly to penitents, so that they sprinkled their heads with ashes. Now at the end of the Mass, the priest consecrated with ash puts on the forehead of the parishioners the sign of the cross. It symbolizes heartbreak and repentance.

The week before Easter is called Passionate. Its beginning is the day of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem – Palmensonntag (in the Orthodox tradition – Palm Sunday). On all the days of the Holy Week following Palm Sunday is the imprint of the greatest solemnity, sorrow and joy of the resurrection. Green Thursday is a day of purification, forgiveness and repentance. The name reflects the custom of eating mainly greens and vegetables on this day. After all, green is the color of freshness, renewal of nature, and, therefore, sinlessness. Green Thursday is followed by Good Friday, Karfreitag. This is the day of the crucifixion of Christ, a bitter, mourning event.

The service of the Catholics begins at exactly three o'clock in the afternoon, at the hour of the crucifixion of Jesus. The bells and the organ are silent, in the temple there is a reverent mournful silence. The service of Protestants may be accompanied by mourning organ music.

At Easter in Austria it is customary to give chocolate and eggs (because the egg is an obligatory attribute of Easter), and the latter may not be real. As an Easter gift can serve chocolate or, for example, a wooden, hand-painted egg. Easter eggs are often painted green, as green symbolizes Spring and Hope. In addition, Easter in Austria is hares baked from dough, chocolate, just toy rabbits.

And in Vienna these days, the Easter Ring takes place, during which the Philharmonic Orchestra performs Baroque music.

Easter Sunday follows Easter Monday. It is celebrated simultaneously with the whole Catholic world and is a holiday in Austria.