It is time of one of the most important church and family holidays-Easter. In Poland, rituals related to the commemoration of the resurrection of Christ are as important as the holiday itself.

Polish Catholics start preparations for Easter Sunday on Ash Wednesday-the first day of Lent. The Easter Sunday is preceded by Palm Sunday, the day which begins the Holy Week in the Catholic Church-the most special "diversified" time in the liturgy. The tradition comes from a custom introduced in the 11th century to bless palm leaves on that day. Easter as such-the Celebration of Lord's Resurrection-begins together with the Easter Triduum, it starts on Maundy Thursday and continues through Easter Monday. Easter is the oldest Christian celebration. Initially, it was celebrated on the day of Jewish Passover. Only during the ecumenical council of Nice in 325, the patriarchs of the Church decided that Easter would always fall on the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring, no sooner than March 25 and no later than April 25th. That means Easter is a movable holiday.

Maundy Thursday (this year, April 8)
The Catholic Church reminisces the Last Supper, when Jesus washed his Apostles' feet. To commemorate that event, in some cathedrals priests wash the feet of 12 men.

Good Friday (April 9)
In the Catholic tradition, this day is devoted to silent prayers, contemplation and vigil.

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, King's Hours are celebrated at churches, with reading of Gospels with descriptions of the Passion of Christ. The faithful wear dark, mourning clothes and take part in the Evening Service and Matins of Holy Saturday. After the prophecy of Isaiah and Gospel are read, Christ is symbolically taken off the cross and put into a grave. The priest brings a holy shroud with an icon painted on it from behind the altar to the center of the church. The procession of the faithful with the shroud symbolizes the burial of Christ. The faithful kiss the shroud at the end, it is then taken back to the church until the following day.

To Protestants, Good Friday is one of the most important holidays which begin with the birth of Christ and end with the Descent of the Holy Ghost. On this day, the faithful meet at morning and evening services combined with the sacrament of Lord's Supper. During the Annunciation of the Gospel, the gathering contemplates the Passion of Christ.

Holy Saturday (April 10)
On this day, Catholics visit graves of their families and friends and bring food to church to have it blessed by priests. In the evening, most churches celebrate Easter Liturgy to which the parishioners come with Easter candles symbolizing the light of Christ.

Easter Sunday (April 11)
On Sunday morning, churches across Poland hold processions followed by special holy masses called resurrections. The main family element is the Easter breakfast, with food blessed on Holy Saturday.

Blessing
The custom of blessing food on Holy Saturday came to Poland from Western Europe around the 12th century. Initially, the ritual was performed at homes, but in the late 18th century it moved to churches where it has stayed to this day.

The traditional basket with blessed food contains a few symbols. The lamb, frequently made of sugar, is a symbol of Christ, the Lamb of God.

Eggs are a Slavic symbol of life, fertility, love and strength. The custom to paint and decorate Easter eggs in various ways and to share it by the Easter table is a typically Polish custom. In the rural tradition, it is a sign of affection when you give an Easter egg to a boy or a girl.

Meat, sausage in particular, is a traditional Polish delicacy, a sign of "what is best" and respect for the Easter breakfast.

Salt and horseradish are spices which improve the taste of dishes. Salt protects from rotting and horseradish is meant to remind of the Passion of Christ.

Bread is the first and the most important food of people, the fruit of hard labor and also a symbol of Corpus Christi.

Wet, Wet, Wet
Easter Monday comes with another Polish custom called śmigus-dyngus or Wet Monday. Nobody can stay dry on that day. Originally, dyngus was a way to execute offerings with the threat of involuntary bath. Śmigus was whipping with a twig or palm. With time, the two separate customs merged into one. Be careful on Easter Monday when you are in the street or even if you get in a car or on a bus. You may be in for a surprise that is wet and not necessarily pleasant.
Monika Czech