FTD Easter

Easter is a Christian holiday that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth, the son of God, Messiah sent to save men the third day after his passion.

Easter is the holiest day of the Christian calendar, it marks the end of Lent.

Easter is the first Sunday following the first moon of spring. Easter Sunday and Easter Monday are holidays recognized in most Christian countries except the United-States where Easter is only celebrated on Easter Sunday, Easter Monday is not celebrated, but Good Friday is a holiday. In Quebec, employees may choose Good Friday or Easter Monday at their conveniance, Easter Sunday is of course a holiday.

In France and especially in Qubec, it is an Easter ritual to collect Easter water. This collection must be done a few minutes before dawn. The custom has it that children collect Easter water in containers specifically for this purpose. The Easter water should last all year. This water can be deemed to relieve the eyes, preserving diarrhea, cure fevers and protect from lightning, thunder and wind.

The tradition of giving eggs dates back to antiquity. The Egyptians and the Romans offered painted eggs in the spring because they were symbols of life and rebirth. But in the IV century the church had forbidden eating eggs during Lent. As the hens continued to lay eggs, they were decorated and offered at Easter. Nowadays, fasting is not as strict, but the tradition of giving eggs, even chocolate eggs continues.

For children, Easter has always been synonymous with chocolate, and for years, companies offer hundreds of models that have nothing to do with the traditional egg or chocolate bunny!

An Easter tradition that continues, the famous Palm Sunday, Easter lilies are very fragrant and pure. People love to receive an Easter lily which perfumes the whole house with it's spellbinding fragrance. Hydrangeas are also very popular at Easter because they underline the arrival spring.