EASTER TRADITION IN ITALY 1 – Carnival Masks in Venice After the festive Carnival season, Lent begins. According to the Gospels, Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert, where he endured temptation by Satan. 2 – Ash Wednesday Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of a 40-day liturgical period of prayer and fasting or abstinence. It derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of adherents as a celebration and reminder of human mortality, and as a sign of mourning and repentance to God. The ashes used are typically gathered from the burning of the palms from the previous year's Palm Sunday.

Carnival Masks in Venice

Ash Wednesday

EASTER TRADITION IN ITALY 3 – Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem The Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, the day which commemorates Jesus‘ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. 4 – Palm Sunday In many Christian churches, Palm Sunday includes a procession of the assembled worshipers carrying palms or olive branches, representing the palm branches the crowd scattered in front of Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem.

Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem Pietro Lorenzetti ( )

Palm Sunday

EASTER TRADITION IN ITALY 5 – The Crucifixion of Jesus Solemn religious processions are held in many towns on the Friday before Easter to commemorate the Passion of Christ and sometimes on Easter Sunday. 6 – Good Friday Procession Many churches have special statues of the Virgin and Jesus which may be paraded through the city or displayed in the main square. Procession participants are often dressed in traditional ancient costumes

The Crucifixion of Jesus Giotto ( )

Good Friday Procession

EASTER TRADITION IN ITALY 7 – The Resurrection of Jesus Easter is the culmination of the Passion of Christ. It celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Crist on the third day after his Crucufixion at Calvary, as described in the New Testament. 8 – Celebration in St.Peter’s Square The two weeks surrounding Easter are one of the busiest times of the year in Rome. Tens of thousands of pilgrims arrive to see the city come alive with the most important event in the Catholic calendar. 9 – Easter Procession Ceremonies and processions are held in many Churches.

The Resurrection of Jesus Raffaello (1502)

Celebration in St. Peter’s Square, Rome

Easter Procession

EASTER TRADITION IN ITALY 10 – Easter Dinner The importance of Easter in Italian culture is reflected in its food traditions. During Easter Lunch in Italy, lamb and eggs are always served. Eggs are symbols of life and rebirth while Lamb is the symbol of the son of God’s sacrifice for humanity. Easter pies and spring vegetables, like asparagus or artichokes are also served. 11 – Easter Dove The meal ends with the typical dove-shaped cake called Colomba. It is a symbol of peace.

Easter Dinner

Easter Dove Cake

EASTER TRADITION IN ITALY 12 – Easter Monday On Easter Monday a group of three women came to the sepulchre of Jesus: the Virgin Mary, Mary Magdalene and Mary of James. 13 – Easter Monday Picnic Easter Monday, also known as La Pasquetta in Italian, is a popular time to take short breaks to the countryside with friends and family. Many people also go on picnics on this day.

Easter Monday A. C. Lalli (Why Seek Ye The Living Among The Dead, 1900)

Easter Monday Picnic Lonato Castle (Lake Garda)

EASTER TRADITION IN ITALY 12 – Easter Eggs are tradition Easter eggs are given to celebrate Easter and Springtime. The oldest tradition is to use dyed and painted chicken eggs, but a modern custom is to substitute chocolate eggs with a surprise gift inside. For Christians, the Easter egg is a reminder that Jesus rose from the grave and that those who believe will also experience eternal life. 13 – Easter Eggs are business Supermarkets are full of chocolate eggs of different sizes and brands.

Easter Eggs are tradition, creativity, artcraft…

Easter Eggs are business….