LENTEN TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD - DR. GIL HAAS, ST. AUGUSTINE OF CANTERBURY EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Many Christian feasts are associated with local traditions that make the feast unique to that region, and Lent is no exception. In Italy, holy water is passed out during Lent so that families can bless their homes. On a more gruesome note, some Philippine citizens actually endure a brief crucifixion on Good Friday. Many countries eliminate meat on Fridays during Lent, but in some countries beaver tail was considered “fish” since beavers live in water. On Bermuda, families fly kites made with wooden sticks on Good Friday to represent the cross on which Jesus died as well as his ascension. On Malta, some families visit 14 churches, with each church providing one of the Stations of the Cross. On Maundy Thursday in the Czech Republic, church bells fall silent, and children use wooden clappers to call villagers to services. In Bulgaria, the Lazarouvane festival is celebrated on the Saturday before Easter. Young girls walk through the village singing and decorating the village gates with willow twigs. If a young girl refuses to participate, tradition predicts that the girl will never marry. In Germany, Maundy Thursday is known as “Green Thursday”, and green foods such as salads and spinach are eaten.  

~Dr. Gil Haas, St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church