Catholic Easter
Description:
In the Czech Republic, Easter is celebrated according to the Catholic calendar. Czechs call Easter their second Christmas or New Year. And in this regard - numerous beliefs, customs, festivities and, as follows after a long fast - abundant Czech cuisine with beer. You can experience all the pleasures of the Czech Easter only by understanding all the traditions and customs, and even better by participating in them.
The first calendar in the Czech Republic with Easter dates was made by the famous astronomer Johannes Kepler. Since then, the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ has acquired numerous symbols and folk traditions. In the Czech Republic, it is customary to give children a carrot in the form of a lamb (beranek) for Easter. No table is complete without another animal – a hare. It is he, not the chicken, who hatches the Easter eggs. They say chickens aren't holy enough.
Easter celebrations in the Czech Republic, as in other Christian countries, begin in the last days of Lent. Easter is preceded by three holy days: Green Thursday, Good Friday and White Saturday.
According to Catholic canons, on Thursday before Easter, church bells ring for the last time - it is believed that then they fly to Rome. Priests celebrate mass in green vestments. Hence the name Green Thursday. Czech farmers eat only green vegetables on this day to stay healthy all year round.
On Good Friday, the clergy hold a procession in memory of how Christ carried his cross to Calvary. In Czech folklore, this day is associated with less sad legends. It is believed that on Good Friday all the treasures hidden in the earth and rocks are revealed to people. By the way, the most righteous people at midnight can see the most famous Czech treasure lying in the Visegrad Rock.
The last day of Lent is White Saturday. Even 100 years ago, fires were lit in the Czech villages in the morning before the church. The housewives dismantled coals and ashes: coals were supposed to keep the house from fire, and ashes were sprinkled on the field to ensure a good harvest. In the evening, divine services began in all churches - people glorified the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, in the Czech language culture there is nothing like the Russian "Christ is risen", "Truly risen". Even the name of the seventh day of the week has nothing to do with “Sunday” in Czech.
Young people began to have fun only on Monday, which in the Czech Republic is called Red.
The Czechs have a very original Easter tradition. On Easter Monday (velikonocni pondeli), Czech men walk around with so-called "blazes" (pomlazka) - braided pigtails with ribbons (barevne pentle) at the end. Traditionally, men have to weave a weaving of willow or willow branches themselves. But everything in today’s world is sold, so lashes these days are most often bought in stores. Men walk the streets and easily wick the girls with bars. This is a tradition of pagan times. But how this tradition holds! Today, no one knows what its meaning is. Ethnographers say that the woman Easter "spook" helps to remain young and beautiful, as she conveys the strength and freshness of a young branch. And to pay off the punishment, the girls offer the cavaliers decorated Easter eggs and sweets. However, in the Czech Republic there is a reciprocal custom. Girls should pour water on guys.
Throughout the week following the great holiday, folk festivities are held in the Czech capital in honor of the arrival of spring. Each craft shop has its own celebration. On Tuesday, a holiday of tailors is usually held under the rather prosaic name “tuffyak”.
The tailors hang a mattress from a white canvas on a birch, on which the Mother of God and the baby are embroidered, and then arrange dances around the tree or in the nearest beer room.