Mother's Day in the UK

Celebrated on the fourth Sunday of Great LentThis holiday is similar to March 8 in Russia. Its roots go back to Victorian times, when children at a fairly early age worked away from home, and the money earned by them was sent to the family budget. Children were allowed to spend one day a year at home with their parents. They usually brought small gifts to their mothers and grandmothers - bouquets of flowers or fresh eggs. Today, British children give their mothers flowers and do their homework.

The earliest honors of the mother go back to the ancient Greek spring festival in honor of the goddess Rei, the wife of the god Kronos and the mother of numerous gods and goddesses. And around 250 BC, ceremonies began in Rome glorifying another mother goddess named Cybele. These religious Roman celebrations lasted three days, from March 15 to March 18.

In the early 17th century, in England, on the fourth Sunday of fasting, people began to celebrate Mothering Sunday. It was a celebration of all the mothers of England. As Christianity spread to Europe, this Sunday became the feast of the Mother Church, a spiritual force that gives life and protects against evil.

Over time, the church holiday merged with the secular holiday. Since it was a time of rich aristocrats and huge mansions, most of the servants worked and lived in the homes of their masters. On Mother’s Sunday, all the servants were given a day off, and they returned to their families to spend the day with their mothers. The festive atmosphere of this day gave a special cake called “mother cake”. On this day, it was supposed to visit mothers and bring them a cake in exchange for a mother’s blessing.

Mother’s Day is pretty quiet these days. Women rest, and their men do housework and cook dinner. Traditionally, on this day it is customary to serve the same Simnel cake, decorated with 12 marzipan balls. The tradition of 12 balls began in pre-Christian times, they symbolize the 12 signs of the zodiac. The name of this cake is associated with the Latin name of fine grinding flour (simila). Such cakes and cakes were baked and sold in England and France on Sundays during Lent. In France, according to this recipe, cakes decorated with a cross of sugar glaze were more often baked.

Sometimes husbands take their wives out to restaurants to celebrate the event. Children give flowers, cards and other gifts to their mothers. It is necessary to congratulate your mother, and no matter where the daughters and sons are on this day, they will call their only and relatives, send them a card, letter or email on Mother’s Day.

Even if you don’t live in England, email or call your parents!