EASTER TRADITIONS Easter is a festival that occurs on the first Sunday after the first full Moon in spring. Easter celebration is full of suprises.

JESUS CHRIST CHURCH Easter is the greatest religious holiday commemorating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is resurrection of nature and spiritual rebirth also.

BRITISH EASTER It is a time for giving and receiving Easter presents in the form of an Easter egg, Easter Bunny and hot cross buns.

EOSTRE It came from theEostre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring time and sunrise,she got her name from the word east where the sun rises. The Russian word Paskha came from the word Passover – a thanksgiving (a lamb).

THE CROSS. The cross has a special meaning to Christians. It represents Christs victory over death.

THE LAMB Jesus was known as the Lamb of God. Christians adopted this as a sign of Christs sacrifice on the cross.

DESIGNED EGGS The decorating eggs has been a great art for many years. There are some fine collections of masterpieces of Easter eggs in Great Britain and in Russia.

EASTER SYMBOLS Very popular Easter symbols in Britain are Easter Rabbits, chickens, first spring flowers, eggs.

EASTER BUNNY It is the symbol of the Moon, fertility, new life.

EASTER RABBIT British children believe that the Easter rabbit (or bunny) brings eggs and hides them for children on Easter morning.

ENGLISH DISH English people eat hot cross buns on Good Friday before Easter Sunday. There is a white cross on a bun.

RUSSIAN DISHES. Kulich is a tasty Easter loaf flavoured with sweets and raisins. The kulich is round in shape.

RUSSIAN DISHES Paskha is a ritual dish made from sour cream, sugar, eggs, raisins and butter. In the morning people consecrate the Paskha in church.

EASTER WEEK The joyous Easter feast continued for a whole week which was called Easter week. All family members eat a consecrated egg, kulich and paskha.

EASTER EGG GAMES Eggs play an important part in Easter sports. The favourite pastime in Russia and in Britain at Easter was egg rolling.

EASTER EGGS FIGHTS It is a traditional pastime in Russia. It takes place on Easter Sunday.

EASTER CUSTOMS Russian people go to each others places, give eggs as gifts, say CHRIST IS RISEN and kiss each others.