According to many theologians, the celebration of Easter in Great Britain has its roots long before the advent of Christianity and they derive the word “Easter“, the English term for Easter, from Eostre, the name of the Anglo-Saxon goddess of dawn and spring. Easter, in fact, falls precisely in spring, a season of rebirth, renewal, and therefore of fertility and prosperity par excellence.
Traditions of the United Kingdom
Easter in England
The arrival of Easter in the United Kingdom marks the end of the long and harsh winter as well as the time of Lent, famously a period of penance and fasting in the Christian religion. That is why Easter is a time of joy, fun, and celebration after many sacrifices and privations.
Maundy Thursday in the United Kingdom
Maundy Thursday (Maundy Thursday), traditionally the day of the Last Supper and the washing of the feet, is a very important observance in the United Kingdom: the so-called Ceremony of the Royal Maundy is celebrated, dating back to the time of Edward I and also attended by the queen: during this event, Maundy Money (holy money) is distributed each year to two particularly deserving elderly citizens, a man and a woman usually of the monarch’s age, chosen among those who have distinguished themselves by serving their community. They receive respectively a white purse and a red one, containing coins specially minted for the occasion. In the white purse, there is a number of coins equal to the years of reign of the current monarch; the red purse, instead, contains coins that replace gifts once given to the poor.
Good Friday in the United Kingdom
Good Friday (in English Good Friday) and Easter Monday are national holidays in Great Britain, thus two days off for everyone.
