Published on : Saturday, April 19, 2014
Easter is a festival and holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter celebrations in different regions differ with local customs and traditions.
Jerusalem, Israel
In the holy city where the Easter story takes place, the Palm Sunday procession commemorates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and involves up to 10,000 people. It starts at Bethphage and continues into the Old City entering through the St. Stephen’s Gate and ending at the Church of St. Anne.
Christians mark Good Friday by walking the same path they believe Jesus took before his crucifixion, some with their own crosses. They also attend mass in the city’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre – the site at which many Christians believe Jesus was buried and the resurrection later took place. Pilgrims also congregate for an Easter sunrise service at the Garden Tomb.
Rome, Italy
The procession on Good Friday involves performances that draw inspiration from medieval times. The actors recite texts that start in the New Testament and continue with the reconstruction of the Nativity, following the events in Christ’s life up until the crucifixion.
Tens of thousands of faithful will gather in St Peter’s Square on Easter Sunday when the pope conducts Mass. He also delivers his traditional message of hope and peace, known as the “Urbi et Orbi”.
Spain
Seville
Seville puts on one of the most spectacular processions of masked penitents and lavish floats in the world. Thousands line the streets to watch the daily processions of marching bands and highly decorated candlelit floats heaving with Baroque statues illustrating the Easter story, followed by hundreds of cloaked ‘nazarenos’ (penitents, dressed in habits). Semana Santa also symbolises the beginning of spring for the people of Seville, so there are celebrations throughout the city and in many of its restaurants and bars.
Malaga
Hundreds of processions involving participants dressed in white robes take place during Holy Week – Semana Santa in Spanish. Celebrations in Malaga include a lengthy procession involving moving alterpieces, candles, orange blossom and clouds of incense.
Florence, Italy
Tradition says that during the first Crusade of 1096 the Florentine knight Pazzo de ‘Pazzi was the first man who planted the banner of the Cross on battlements in Jerusalem and as a gift he received some fragments of the Holy Sepulchre.
Upon his return to Florence the stones were used to start the Sacred Fire of Holy Saturday, and were paraded through the city as homage to it in a richly decorated chariot. Nowadays, on Easter Sunday a large wagon is pulled by white oxen in a procession in the streets of the centre of Florence to the front of the cathedral.
When the Gloria is sung inside the cathedral, the Archbishop lights a dove-shaped rocket which tears down a wire into the cart, setting off a large and suitably noisey fireworks display inside.
World tourism industry is all set with lucrative offers and packages to make your Easter Sunday a memorable celebration.
Special Offer Easter holidays 2014 in Florence
From April 18 2014 to April 21 2014
If you are relishing the notion of immersing yourself in the Florentine cradle of Renaissance during the Easter holidays, to fill your senses with the joy of art, colours, scents and flavours, then opt for IL GUELFO BIANCO few steps far from Piazza Duomo.
Offer includes:
Accommodation in single, double, triple or quadruple room or suite/apartment
A coupon valid for a welcome drink to our quaint and cozy bistro “Il Desco” (you can have a free drink and tasty snacks from 4,30 till 7,30)
Buffet breakfast
A guide book of Florence with useful information about the most important arstistic treasures of the town
On the Easter Sunday (April 20th 2014) you could even have lunch at bistrot-restaurant “IL DESCO” next to the hotel, from 12,00 till 3,00 pm. The Easter menu costs Euro 32,00 (children till 2 years old free from 3 to 12 years old pay Euro 16,00) and includes: one appetizer, one first course, one second course, one dessert – drinks not included.
Easter Sunday Family Buffet Lunch @ Macdonald Frimley Hall Hotel & Spa
Book Book from now to 20 Apr 2014
Relax and enjoy the sumptuous treats by renowned Chef and indulge in all in the comfort of beautiful Frimley Suite on Sunday 20th April 2014. A complimentary Easter Egg will be given to all children!
Book directly with the hotel for your preferred time between 12.30pm and 2pm and enjoy this celebration for just £24.50 per adult and £9.95 per child between 5 to 10 years.
(under 5′s complimentary)
Metro Hotel Sydney Central, NSW
The “Easter Family” package at Metro Hotel Sydney Central priced at $245 a night is a great deal. The package includes Easter chocolates, overnight accommodation in a superior room for two children (under 12) and two adults, free Wi-Fi and a two tickets for two adults and two children (Manly SEA LIFE Sanctuary, Sydney Tower Eye, Madame Tussauds, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium and Wildlife Sanctuary).
So, make the most of your celebrations this Easter!
Tags: easter
|
||
   
|
||
