Fastenzeit is the name given to the time of fasting between Ash Wednesday and Easter. During this time people avoid eating meat, although in some families this is extended to eating sweets and listening to music, or drinking alcohol.
In some areas of Germany, people are not supposed to laugh on Good Friday, or dance between Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday.
To hear a simple explanation and a short discussion in German, listen to the podcast:
(Press the “play” button to listen to the podcast)
Die Auferstehung is the German word for the Resurrection – the event in the New Testament that is celebrated at Easter.
The term refers to the resurrection of Jesus three days after he was crucified and is the central theme in the Christian faith.
Indeed, it is quoted in the Glaubensbekenntnis (statement of faith) in Catholic Church services.
One of the relevant passages in the New Testament is Matthew 28:1-10, but the resurrection leads on to other events to be found in the Acts of the Apostles, such as appearing to two travellers on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35).
It is a complex topic, which the podcast can only introduce at this stage. More detailed information can be found in Wikipedia: English | German.
To hear a simple explanation and a short discussion in German, listen to the podcast:
(Press the “play” button to listen to the podcast)
Easter is called Ostern in German. The Easter Week starts on Palm Sunday as is known as the Karwoche. Its climax starts on Maundy Thursday, known as Gründonnerstag and is followed by Karfreitag, Karsamstag, Ostersonntag and Ostermontag.
Traditionally people either go to Church on Saturday evening to a service called the Osterfeuer or on Sunday morning.
Also on Sunday morning children hunt for Easter Eggs, Ostereier, around the flat or in the garden.
Easter marks the end of Lent, so people eat meat again on Easter Sunday. They eat pork, beef or even rabbit and can start drinking alcohol again.
Karfreitag, Ostersonntag and Ostermontag are public holidays, so all of the shops are closed.
The date on which Easter falls varies from year to year, but can be calculated. It can be anytime between the 22nd March and 25th April. The exact fomula is known as “Computus” (see Wikipedia for more details).
To hear a simple explanation and a short discussion in German, listen to the podcast:
(Press the “play” button to listen to the podcast)
Palmsonntag (Palm Sunday) is the Sunday before Easter.
On this day the Church remembers Christ’s entry into Jerusalem, riding a donkey, where the bystanders waved palm leaves and hailed “Hosana”.
In addition the Catholic Church remembers Christ’s suffering – the so-called Passion, whereas the Protestant Church does this later on in the week on Good Friday.
On this day people go to Church and take palm leaves with them to be blessed.
Two other traditions on this day are:
the Palmesel – the last person in the family to get up on this Sunday
the Palmhase – like the Easter Bunny, except it brings one or two eggs on Palmsonntag and is a tradition in the Odenwald – part of Hessen.
To hear a simple explanation and a short discussion in German, listen to the podcast:
(Press the “play” button to listen to the podcast)
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