Easter is the highlight and the centre of ecclesiastical year, celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. For Christians it is a representation, that mankind has been released from the slavery of sin and death. Easter is also the oldest Christian celebration. The first knowledge of Passover feasts, date back to the 100's.
Orthodox churches, which follow the Julian calendar, celebrate Easter at a different time compared to other Christian churches, with the exception of the Orthodox church of Finland, which celebrates Easter according to the Gregorian calendar.

The Finnish name for Easter, "Pääsiäinen", originates from " be released from Lent", (verb päästää means release). The traditional culmination of Easter is the delicious and substantial feast celebrating the glory of this rejoiceful occasion. In Finland the Passover meal often includes paschal lamb, which symbolizes the Lamb of God. Desserts made from quark, such as pasha and pies, and sweet Easter bread kulitsa, found there way to the Finnish Easter table from Russia, where they traditionally belong to the Orthodox Easter feast. The name pasha, comes from the Greek word for Easter; "Pasxa".

Finnish Easter pudding, "mämmi", is not the most delicious looking dessert, but it is worth trying. Mämmi, which is a symbol of unleavened bread, is usually served with cream and sprinkled with sugar.

Easter time is also the time to decorate the house with the colors of spring. Flowers such as daffodils, lilies, carnations and tulips belong on the Easter table. In Finland, it is common to bring home a few birch twigs a week or two before Easter, so that by Easter time, the birch twigs are budding. The willow twigs, full of willow catkins, are also used as Easter decorations.

Many Easter customs remind us, that the spring is near, one of them is to grow rye-grass for decoration. Children enthusiastically watch the growth of the rye-grass, and when it is long enough, little chocolate eggs, birdies and bunnies are placed on top of it.

At many homes the painting of eggs, is also an annual tradition for Easter. Easter eggs, Easter birdies and Easter bunnies, are all symbols of fertility; the blooming of new life.

Recipes for foods eaten in Finland during Easter can be viewed here: Traditional Finnish Easter Recipes

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