- On 30/03/2022
- In Events Tips for travellers Turkish Culture
- Tags: Easter, Easter in Istanbul, easter in Turkey
Easter in Istanbul
What is the Easter?
Easter is a Christian event that commemorates the belief in Jesus Christ‘s resurrection. The incident is claimed to have occurred three days after Jesus was crucified by the Romans and died, according to the New Testament of the Bible. Although Easter is a Christian celebration with deep theological importance, several of the rituals linked with it stretch back to pre-Christian, pagan origins.
When is the Easter celebrations?
Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday following the full moon on April 21st each year. With the impact of Anatolian culture, Armenians, Greeks, and Assyrians who live in Turkey preserve a tradition that values table, cuisine, and hospitality. The church opens early on Easter morning, and the community gathers together to celebrate. Families gather after the ceremony to set the tables. At the same time, the neighbors are offered eggs, donuts, and rice pudding.
Why Is Easter Called ‘Easter’?
The English word “Easter” is said to derive from Eostre, or Eostrae, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility, according to St. Bede the Venerable, the author of Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum, who lived in the sixth century.
What is the Easter Bunny?
On Easter Sunday morning, a character known as the Easter Bunny brings sweets and chocolate eggs to kids in certain houses. These candies are frequently found in Easter baskets.
The Easter Bunny’s exact origins are uncertain, while some historians believe it was brought to America by German immigrants in the 1700s. Because rabbits are renowned as eager procreators in many cultures, the arrival of newborn bunnies in springtime meadows became connected with birth and rejuvenation.
What is Easter Eggs ?
Easter eggs, also known as Paschal eggs, are colored eggs that are occasionally ornamented. They are commonly given as Easter gifts.
Although dyed and painted chicken eggs are the oldest tradition, chocolate eggs wrapped in colored foil, hand-carved wooden eggs, or plastic eggs filled with confectionary such as chocolate are now popular alternatives. However, real eggs continue to be used in Central and Eastern European tradition.
Easter Eggs
How and where to celebrate Easter in Turkey ?
Mass at the Virgin Mary’s house
The House of the Virgin Mary is definitely one of the unique places in the world to celebrate Easter. This shrine, which was the home where the Virgin Mary died and is located on Mt. Koressos in Ephesus, will be organizing religious services over the weekend in honor of Easter.
The House of the Virgin Mary
Istanbul’s greatest Roman church, the Church of St. Anthony of Padua
The Church of St. Anthony of Padua, also known as Sent Antuan in Turkish, is the largest and most popular Roman Catholic Church in Istanbul. This majestic neo-Gothic church, which overlooks Istiklal Avenue, has become a regular stop for visitors and locals alike to pray and light a candle. The Easter weekend, on the other hand, provides a fantastic opportunity to actually attend a mass, and there will be a variety of services available.
In our Best of Istanbul; 1, 2 or 3 Days Private Guided Istanbul Tour option you can visit the church of St Antuan.
The Church of St. Anthony of Padua
Ustun Palmie Bakery
Here is the most popular bakery where you can taste the most delicious sweet Easter bread in Istanbul. The famous chef Ustun still uses the recipe that she inherited from her ancestors who were the residents of Istanbul since late Byzantine period and frontiers of bakery art in city with knowledge accumulated within centuries.
