Text 4 spring holidays

Great Britain is famous for its old traditions. Some of them existed in ancient times and survived through centuries. Some of them appeared when Christianity came to British Isles. The Christian year is divided up with events which remind us of the life of Jesus*. It begins with the season of Advent*, at the very end of November, which is a period of preparation for the coming of Christ, and then moves through the story of his life to the important focus of Holy Week* and Easter*. Though these holidays are of religious origin, it would be right to say that for the greater part of the population they have long lost their religious significance and are simply days on which people relax, eat, drink and make merry.

Speaking about religious holidays one can’t but mention Easter, Pancake Day* and Mother’s Day*. The dates of these holidays aren’t strict, they depend on the date of Easter, that varies every year.

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*Jesus – [´dƷi:zəs] Иисус

*Advent – [´ædvənt] Рождественский пост

*Holy Week - рел. Страстная неделя, Страстная седмица (неделя строгого поста перед Пасхой у католиков и православных)

*Easter - Пасха

*Pancake Day - вторник на Масленой неделе

*Mother’s Day (Mothering Sunday) - "Материнское воскресенье" (четвёртое воскресенье Великого поста)

Easter

Easter is one of the most important holidays in Christianity. Easter is a Christian holiday in March or in April, when Christians remember the crucifixion of Christ and his resurrection after his death. The holiday is marked by going to church and then having a celebration dinner. Easter is connected in people's minds with spring, with the earth coming to life after winter.

In England it’s a time for giving and receiving presents, mostly Easter eggs. The most popular emblem of Easter is the Easter egg: a hard-boiled egg decorated and painted in bright colours. Easter eggs are traditional Easter presents for children. Nowadays Easter eggs are usually made of chocolate and have some small gifts inside.

Children get also chocolate Easter rabbits which supposedly bring Easter eggs in a fancy basket. Easter bunnies are either hollow or have a filling, and are usually covered with brightly coloured silver paper.

Each year, on Easter Sunday, London greets spring with a traditional spectacular Easter Parade in Battersea Park. The Parade is a great procession of many richly decorated floats - large moving platforms on wheels, on which actors and amateurs perform shows. The most beautifully decorated float moves at the back of the procession and carries the Easter Princess and her attendants.