EASTER

Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus on the third day after his crucifixion. The Council decided Easter should be celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox. It is commonly thought that the word Easter comes from a pagan figure called Eastre. The only problem with this theory is that it has no basis in history. The same is true of the origin of the Easter bunny and Easter eggs—no one knows for sure how these things became a part of Easter observances.The legend of the Easter bunny bringing eggs appears to have been brought to the United States by settlers from Germany. The German tradition of the Easter bunny migrated to America in the 1700s. The Easter bunny has become the most commercially recognized symbol of Easter in the United States.  



TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD

-In Florence, locals celebrate tradition known as ''Scoppio del Carro''. An ornate cart packed with fireworks is led through the streets of the city,  then, outside the Duomo, the Archbishop of Florence lights a fuse during Easter mass that leads outside to the cart and sparks a lively fireworks display. 

-Children in Scandinavian country dress up like witches and go begging for chocolate eggs in the streets while in some parts of Western Finland, people burn bonfires on Easter Sunday. 

-On the morning of Holy Saturday, in Corfu people throw pots, pans and other earthenware out of their windows, smashing them on the street. 

-Easter is such a popular time for Norwegians to read crime novels known as Paaskekrimmen.

-On Good Friday the Pope commemorates the Via Crucis at the Colosseum. Mass is celebrated on the evening of Holy Saturday, and on Easter Sunday, thousands of visitors congregate in St. Peter's Square to await the Pope's blessing from the church's balcony.