Arab Christians Partake in Easter Traditions Around the World
BY: Yara Jouzy/Contributing Writer
This week, Arab Christians all over the world are celebrating Holy Week, one of the most significant holidays for the community. It is a week that brings Lent to an end, while the Easter festivities begin. It is a time for Arab Christians to celebrate their religion, culture, and heritage with their families and friends.
Christians of the Arab world hail from all parts of the region, and today, their descendants celebrate Easter with the same traditions throughout the US.
Who are Arab Christians?
What many may not know is that Arab Christians are everywhere throughout the region, however, the largest populations are in Egypt, Syria, and Lebanon. Egyptians are usually Copts, whom are a part of the Coptic Orthodox Churches. Other denominations of Christianity that Arabs make up include Greek or Antiochian Orthodox, Greek Catholic, Oriental Orthodoxy, and Melkite rites, as well as Maronite and Roman Catholicism.
Protestantism is not as pervasive in the Arab world as it is in the West, but Arab Christians celebrate Easter for the same reason: to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from death, which is ultimately the foundation of Christianity.
Lent
There are many ways Arab Christians partake in the celebration, and Lent is a major part of it. The Lenten season lasts for 40 days prior to Easter, where Arab Christians abstain from all animal-based food products, such as meat and dairy. This is to honor the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert as a sacrifice for all Christians’ sins.
During Lent, Arab Christians mostly sacrifice all animal products, however, Arab Americans have also adopted the Protestant method of fasting, which include giving up one indulgent food product or habit, such as chocolate, potato chips, smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, or doing more to help out the community. Depending on the sacrifice an individual chooses, every form of Lent is different.
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter and the last Sunday of Lent, which is when Jesus entered Jerusalem, Palestine. It is celebrated by all Arab Christian denominations, which use palm fronds to portray the reenactment of Christ’s arrival. These palm fronds are a symbolism of peace and victory. They are blessed and parishioners will make small crosses out of them to pin onto their clothing.
This is a tradition that many Christians do on this holy Sunday before Easter. Children gather to learn how to make crosses out of palms from their older family members. Typically, parishioners keep their cross palms at home, in their cars, at work, or other places, where they can be seen.
Good Friday
Following Palm Sunday is Good Friday. On this day, the Friday before Easter, Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Service in the evening usually takes place on Good Friday, where Christians remember Christ and his sacrifice for our sins through prayers.
Good Friday is also known as Easter Friday, Great Friday, Holy Friday and more depending on the region in which the day is celebrated. The origins of the word are unknown, however, it is appropriate to label it as a “good” day where Jesus is remembered and the roots of the Christian faith are respected.
Arab Easter Traditions – Ma’maoul
Ma’amoul, also known as Easter shortbread cakes, are a foremost part of the Arab Christian Easter celebrations. This is a type of pastry stuffed with dates, pistachios, walnuts, almonds, figs and other fillings of the cook’s choice. Ma’amoul can be in two generic shapes, a ball or a flattened cookie. The cookie is then decorated either by hand or by wooden molds, which are patterned with traditional designs.
Ma’amoul has a lot of symbolic meanings to Arab Christians. The wooden mold is a representation of the cross Jesus was crucified to, while the shape of the pastry acts as a metaphor for the sponge, which Jesus used to drink vinegar from.
Sometimes, ma’amoul is sprinkled with powdered sugar, however, when it is not, the crust has no sugar because Jesus’s death was a time of morning and sadness. The naturally sweet filling acts as a symbolism of happiness for when Jesus was resurrected. This treat is not a Christian religious pastry only, but also a Muslim treat during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan.
Arab Easter Traditions – Egg Cracking
Other Easter traditions for Arab Christians involve the egg cracking game. This is something children get the most excited for throughout the holiday’s build-up. To begin with, eggs are boiled, dyed and decorated as an Easter tradition. These eggs are then used as decoration around the house until the Sunday of Easter. On this day, each person has the chance to pick an egg. The key is to choose wisely and assess which egg you think will be the strongest. Once you have chosen your egg, you hold your egg in your hand and crack your egg on another persons egg. The idea is for your egg to remain hard while the opponents’ egg cracks. The cracking of the egg symbolizes the resurrection of Christ and new life into the world. This game is called tsougrisma in Greek.
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday is a day filled with happiness, love and laughter, where the Arab American community gathers together with family and friends. This day begins with going to church service, followed by lunch with the family and a continuation of the holiday traditions.
Many Arab Americans celebrate with Easter egg hunts, bunny cookie decorating, and more. No matter where Arab Christians are in the world, Easter will definitely involve ma’moul, cracking eggs, and preparing a feast for the family.
Arab America wishes all Christians in the world a Happy Easter and a wonderful Sunday with loved ones.
