Easter

The Christians celebrate Easter across the world to mark the great resurrection and exaltation of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The grand occasion reminds you of baskets of golden and crimson eggs and chocolate bunnies. Yet bunnies, basket and marshmallow candy are not enough to rocket Easter celebration to celebrity. People around the world agree on at least one thing: a fantastic meal is in order.

The foods, as well as the style in which the foods are prepared may vary. Some cultures have their primary Easter meal for breakfast, while others wait until noon or afternoon to sit down to their own tradition-rich meal. Regardless of the time designated for eating, every meal contains many of the foods that were recently abstained from eggs, cheese, meats and coffee.

Sweden: Easter Breakfast
Most of the Easter celebrations in Sweden take place during the Holy Week before Easter Sunday. On Maundy Thursday little girls dress up as witch-like Easter Hags who travel from door to door (Halloween-style) handing out handmade pictures in exchange for sweets. This tradition stems from an old Swedish folk belief that witches were most powerful and destructive during the Holy Week. Upon its establishment in Sweden, the Christian church worked hard to rid the country of witches. Come Easter Sunday, after a hard week of dodging and satisfying the little Easter hags, the Swedish people are ready for a large morning meal full of eggs, breads, sweets, and coffee.

Eastern Europe: Easter basket
The tradition of blessing foods for Easter during Holy Saturday's mass is not exclusive to Eastern Europe, but it is an extremely popular Slavic tradition. The practice of blessing Easter foods finds its roots in the biblical story that tells how Jesus was recognized by two of his disciples after his death and resurrection. The two men came upon Jesus at mealtime and did not believe that he could really be alive. They were convinced that it was truly he only after he blessed the evening's foods and shared in their meal. In Eastern Europe, the foods for the day's feast are chosen carefully. These include decorated eggs, condiments like butter, sour cream and salt and pepper. They are artfully packed into a large basket covered with an embroidered cloth.

Greece
The Greek people believe in breaking the fast with a large dinner full of traditional foods. Before the big meal, however, the Greek people have a solemn week full of processions and mass to attend to. One pre-Easter Sunday tradition takes place on Maundy Thursday and includes dying Easter eggs a deep red. During Saturday's Mass the red eggs are cracked and opened to recall the miracle of Christ's rebirth and resurrection. In addition to the holy symbolism of Christ's rebirth, the cracked eggs symbolically kick off the fun and celebration that fill Easter Sunday. The Sunday meal begins around noon and will stretch languorously through the afternoon and into evening. Take a hint from the Greeks and pull together an elaborate feast complete with tasty appetizers, salads, soups, entrees and rich desserts to celebrate Easter day.