Easter around the world

Being an international organisation we decided to share our stories of what easter is like for us. Here you can read about three young people sharing what easter means to them in their countries. 

UK 🇬🇧

Easter here in the UK is very much all about chocolate eggs, at least that's what the shops like to tell you. Our shops move from one national celebration to another. Right now, it's chocolate eggs, little plastic chicks, handmade spring-themed wreaths, daffodils, and more seasonal flowers. The weather at this time is often in a state of undecidedness. We go through dry, hot patches to high heats and then back again until around June time. This ties into the time of year being spring, a time of life beginning again and is part of what Easter means to Christians. And due to historical significance in this country is therefore what the shops, schools and families talk about. But how can you not? We see leaf and flower buds appearing, birds singing, lambs in the fields all around us. Life is reappearing after a winter of quietness and survival for all of nature.

Easter Sunday is a significant day nationwide. It is a day where people exchange chocolate eggs in celebration of new life: both from spring and the life granted by the cross (Christianity). Although from my perspective, it has become a very much chocolate orientated holiday filled with chocolate and Easter bunnies. Where young kids find eggs the bunny hid. It is a national holiday meaning all the shops close early and won't reopen till the holiday is over.

Coming from a Christian family I understand, if you like the 'real meaning of Easter. The original makers of the easter holidays come from within Christianity. It is a celebration of the time that Jesus laid down his life for us on the cross. God's only son sacrifices his life by becoming a human and dying as one. Why do we need to be saved? Well, the bible talks about sin, something inherent within us that makes us imperfect. This is what we need to be saved from, and Jesus dying on the cross bridges the gap between God and us so that we may one day join him in eternity.  

Within the church, we celebrate Palm Sunday - the day Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey and is met with crowds holding palm leaves. Good Friday - the day Jesus Christ died on the cross. And following Easter Sunday - the day Jesus rises from the dead and is met by Mary Magdalene. Finally, Ascension day - the day where Jesus is lifted into heaven by God the Father, which the church also celebrates.

South Africa 🇿🇦

Family, Good Food and lots of chocolaty treats, that's what Easter means to me. I always find understanding and common ground in a gathering of food; since I've long stayed away from my family's path of Christianity. I've often felt left out of many festivities since many of our calendars rotate around Christian holidays. But things feel right and make sense to me when there's a good plate of food in front of me. 

Most people around this time go to church to celebrate the holiday and pray. I often stay behind and dream about a warm plate of Curry Fish (pickled fish), Easter-themed chocolate covered marshmallows, and wonder how eggs and bunnies go together (I never really got that).  

Easter around South Africa truly is a time to gather and enjoy the presence of other people and perhaps to give thanks to a higher power, if that is your belief. But to me, Easter is all about having my favourite food and spending time with family. 

India 🇮🇳

I have been around many places around India for the eucharistic celebration. One of the places was at Darjeeling, where they conduct several gatherings, spreading joys and blessings. Family gatherings are one of the best things at Darjeeling during Easter Sunday's. Variety of foods which makes it special.

There is a small community of North East Christian which conducts Masses every once a month in Bangalore. The Easter celebration is a different vibe there.

They celebrate conducting various programs, including the Easter egg hunt.

Most of the people are from places like Kalimpong, Darjeeling included, Manipuris,

Mirik etc. 

Also, before the Easter celebration, there are various activities around the church, like

Palm Sunday, Good Friday (the day Christians remember the death of Jesus) and much more.

For me, it is all about the holidays and being realised that you have been purified and forgiven by Christ.

With thanks to Esther Tennant (UK), Siphokazi Matshaka (SA) and Brian Kim (India) for their thoughts and experiences shared about Easter.