The Lenten season culminates in Easter and through this season Indian Christians fortify themselves spiritually and relive the passion of Christ by observing the Holy Week.
The essence of the Easter Festival is Christ’s resurrection from the dead. The Holy Week that commences with Palm Sunday, continues to remind Christians of the important institution, the Lord’s Supper on Maundy Thursday and Christ’s gruesome death on Good Friday. The week shows the fallen state of man and Easter, which is the last day of the week, breathes out hope as it is the day Jesus rose from the grave, defying the power of death and declaring His authority. Easter is a day to rejoice as the living Christ is the basis of a Christian’s faith.
With several denominations among Christians in India, there are differences in customs, practices and even beliefs. In spite of this Easter is an important Christian Festival.
Christians clad in new clothes make their way to Church Services organized for the day. Churches are decorated with fresh flowers and special seating arrangements and some Churches have an early morning service that begins at 4 am. Members greet one another after the service saying, ‘Christ is risen, He is risen indeed’.
Easter eggs are quiet popular in India too and bakers display several brightly decorated eggs for customers to choose from. These are a sure hit with children who love to break the eggs for the goodies inside. Some even make decorated Easter eggs at home.
Cakes form another important item on the menu for the day and are either baked at home or ordered from bakeries. Traditional Indian delicacies are prepared and many families party and feast with family and friends.
Easter bunnies are not as popular in India as in the rest of the world. Though not totally absent, they are a rarity and hardly known to most Christians celebrating Easter in India.
The whole season of Lent refreshes the soul and is a time for Christians to recommit their lives, seek pardon for failures and celebrate their hope which is in Christ alone. Easter is the day when Christians realize and rejoice that this hope that they pin their faith on is certainly not in vain.
The Passion of Christ is a good resource to understand the basis of Christians’ observance of Lent, Holy Week and Easter. Here’s a link to buy your copy.
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