Holy Thursday

There is a tradition on Holy Thursday of dying eggs red. We receive Eucharist on Holy Thursday, and the red eggs represent the blood of Jesus that was shed for the world. So, this morning (which is actually Holy Friday, but I do what I can!) Zoe and I dyed eggs red.

This year, with PASCHA being a week after Western Easter, I got to take advantage of discount Easter candy and treats. I may have gone a little over board in the 75% bin, as you can see by the Paas "dEGGorating kit" above! I tried to tell myself that I was getting this kit of glitter and stickers for our younger godchildren's enjoyment, or even Zoe's (ha!) but the truth is that I love anything crafty- even the juvenile things, and I saw the 75% off kit as cheap and fun entertainment. Next year, our Easters are on the same date so I think Zoe and I will try dying eggs using onion skins.

These festive eggs will make their way into our Pascha basket:

As you can see, I have packed the essentials so far: wine and champagne! The hard boiled, dyed eggs, goat cheese and some scones will make their way into the basket before PASCHA. I pack different things each year, but try to include special things that we have been especially missing through the Great Fast. I also decorate the basket with flowers, and place everything on a white cloth embroidered with crosses (a napkin I inherited from Mom.) This year, I made the bow on top into a cross- and I like the effect- because, as you may have already guessed, EVERYTHING in Orthodoxy has symbolic meaning, giving the faith the richness that we love and discover anew with each season.

I am humbled and thankful for the opportunity to pass along these traditions to a new generation of Orthodox Christians. Because I am so new in the faith (this is my 5th Lent) Zoe and I will be learning our Orthodox traditions together as well as starting our family's.

The most vivid memories I have of my childhood revolve around traditions: our seafood feast on Christmas Eve in Mobile, clipping azalea blossoms to decorate my Lenten coin collection box to take to the Easter service, getting a new bathing suit every year in my Easter basket, choosing a menu of my favorite things for my birthday dinner- the list goes on. I hope and pray that we can enrich our daughters life with family traditions, and in so doing teach her the fullness of Orthodoxy, to praise and worship God and to honor His Saints and His Church.