Easter, the greatest festival of the Christians is once again round the corner, bringing hope and cheer to millions of Christians the world over. It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead after three days. It forms the basis of the Christian faith and signifies love, forgiveness and hope. It is considered the date of birth of the Christian Church.

Easter is preceded by a forty-day period of lent, which is a time spent in fasting, prayer and penance. The Lenten season begins with Ash Wednesday, when the faithful are anointed with ash as a reminder of their mortality. It is a period of introspection and preparation for the resurrection of the saviour, Jesus. The last week of lent, called Holy Week, begins with the observance of Palm Sunday. It recalls Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem one week before his execution.

Holy Monday commemorates Jesus' cleansing of the temple, when he assaulted money changers and overturned their tables. Holy Tuesday recalls Jesus' description to his disciples on the Mount of Olives of the destruction of Jerusalem. Spy Wednesday was the day when Judas, one of the twelve apostles betrayed Jesus in exchange for 30 pieces of silver. Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, Jesus' agony in the garden and his arrest.

Good Friday was the day that Jesus was crucified. The origin of the word "good" has been lost. Some claim that the early Christians called this day "God's Friday." Others claim that "good" refers to the blessings bestowed on humanity as a result of Jesus' execution. Holy Saturday is the final day of Holy Week and of Lent.

Early Christians customarily celebrated Easter Week as days of joy and laughter. They would tell jokes, play pranks, feast on lamb, dance, sing and express humour and joy over this "final joke" on the devil, death and evil. Hot cross buns, Easter eggs, Easter bunnies and Easter breads are all associated with Easter. However, many of these customs come from the Old World and have nothing to do with Christianity. The white lily, the symbol of the resurrection, is the special Easter flower. Easter bunnies and eggs have come from pagan antiquity as symbols of fertility and new life.

Closer home, Easter goodies are available at All Saint's, Nilgiris', Sweet Chariot and Food World. Made of delicious mouth watering chocolate and good old marzipan, (a sweet paste made of ground almonds, sugar and egg white's), some of these eggs are topped with icing to make them even more attractive.

Congregations of believers gather for the Easter vigil service or the morning mass to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. St. Patrick's Church, St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral, St. Mary's Church, Holy Ghost Church and other churches have such services. So, rejoice and be glad, for Easter eggs are on the roll and hopefully little Peter Rabbit will hop by and pick them up soon!! Eat well and make merry with a dash of Sherry!!

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