Today, in similar fashion, many devout Christians abstain from eating meat during the forty days preceding Easter. During Holy Week, the seven days before the holiday, some, especially members of the Greek, Ethiopian and Armenian Orthodox churches, even eliminate eggs, milk and fish from their diet. Communion is taken on the day before Easter, which always falls on a Sunday and, on Saturday night church services begin at ten in the evening. In many nations, one of the most beautiful highlights of the holiday is the rich, ceremonial midnight mass.

Regardless of whether one adheres to the teachings of the Roman Catholic church, the Greek, Russian or Armenian, or Ethiopian Orthodox churches or any of the many Protestant sects in Jerusalem, Easter Sunday is always a cause for celebration and feasting. The most beloved of dishes served on this day are based on lamb, for in addition to calling to mind the purity of Jesus, it also calls to mind the universal hope that "one day the wolf shall dwell with the lamb and they shall live in peace together". (via Nina)

Auslöser der Proteste sind Pläne zur Einschränkung von Arbeitnehmerrechten / Schweigeminute für Terroropfer Biagi. [Süddeutsche]

A traditional favorite on Good Friday in England, Hot Cross Buns are a spicy currant or raisin studded yeast bun, topped with a "Cross" of lemon flavored icing. While Christians have adopted the cake and the symbolism of the cross, it wasn't always so. To Pagans then as now, the cross was symbolic of the sun wheel, which symbolizes perfect balance at the time of the Spring Equinox.

Hot Cross Buns were probably originally used in ceremonies and rituals and the Christian Church attempted to ban the buns, although they proved too popular. Left with no alternative but defeat, the church did the next best thing and "Christianized" the bread with Queen Elizabeth I passing a law which limited the bun's consumption to proper religious ceremonies, such as Christmas, Easter or funerals. [FabulousFoods.com] (via Nina)