Easter Monday is the day after Easter Sunday and is celebrated as a holiday in some largely Christian cultures, especially Roman Catholic cultures. Easter ( Greek: Πάσχα Pascha or Pasxa) is the most important religious feast in the Christian Liturgical year. Lists of holidays The words holiday or vacation have related meanings in different English-speaking countries and continents but will usually refer to one of Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings Easter Monday in the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar is the second day of the octave of Easter Week. The liturgical year, also known as the Christian year, consists of the cycle of liturgical seasons in Christian churches which determines when " Octave " has two senses in Christian liturgical usage In Poland and parts of the United States, Easter Monday is called Dyngus Day.

Formerly, the post-Easter festivities involved a week of secular celebration, but this was reduced to one day in the 19th century. Secularity ( adjective form secular) is the state of being separate from Religion. The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar Events include egg rolling competitions and, in predominantly Roman Catholic countries, dousing other people with water which traditionally had been blessed with holy water the day before at Easter Sunday Mass and carried home to bless the house and food. Egg rolling, or an Easter egg roll is a traditional game played with eggs at Easter. Holy water can also refer to water that has been blessed, such as by a Priest, and is considered Holy.

In the Eastern Orthodox Church and those Eastern Catholic Churches which follow the Byzantine Rite, Easter Monday is known as Bright Monday or Renewal Monday, and is the second day of Bright Week. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world This article refers to Eastern Churches in full communion with the Holy See The Byzantine Rite, sometimes called the Rite of Constantinople or Constantinopolitan Rite, is the liturgical rite used currently (in various languages Bright Week Lambri --> or Renewal Week is the name used by the Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic Churches of the Byzantine The services are exactly the same as on Pascha (Easter Sunday), except that the hymns from the Octoechos are in Tone Two. Easter ( Greek: Πάσχα Pascha or Pasxa) is the most important religious feast in the Christian Liturgical year. The Octoechos ( Greek:; Slavonic: Октонхъ Oktoikh, or Осмогласникъ Osmoglasnik)&mdashliterally the book It is customary to have a Crucession (procession headed by a cross) either after Paschal Matins or after the Paschal Divine Liturgy. A Crucession, or Cross Procession (Крестный ход Krestnyi khod) is a procession that takes place in the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Matins (also known as Orthros or Oútrenya in Eastern Churches) is the early morning or night Prayer service in the Roman Catholic The Divine Liturgy is the common term for the Eucharistic service of the Byzantine tradition of Christian liturgy. It is customarily a day for visiting family and friends.

Contents 1 Poland 2 Elsewhere in Europe 3 United States 3.1 Buffalo, New York 3.2 South Bend and elsewhere in Indiana 3.3 North Carolina 4 Elsewhere in the world 5 Official holiday 6 See also 7 External links 8 References

Poland

Dyngus Day or Wet Monday (Polish Śmigus-dyngus or Lany Poniedziałek) is the name for Easter Monday in Poland. Polish ( język polski, polszczyzna) is the Official language of Poland. Poland (Polska officially the Republic of Poland In the Czech Republic it is called Velikonoční pondělí or Pomlázka. The Czech Republic ( ˈt͡ʃɛskaː ˈrɛpuˌblɪka short form in Česko ˈt͡ʃɛskɔ also called Czechia, Both countries practice a unique custom on this day.

In Poland, traditionally, early in the morning boys awake girls by pouring a bucket of water on their head and striking them about the legs with long thin twigs or switches made from willow, birch or decorated tree branches (palmy wielkanocne); however, the earliest documented records of Dyngus Day in Poland are from the 15th century, almost half a millennium after Poland adopted Christianity. Willows, sallows and osiers form the Genus Salix, around 400 species of Deciduous Trees and Shrubs found primarily Birch is the name of any Tree of the genus Betula ( Bé-tu-la) in the family Betulaceae, closely related to the

Benedykt Chmielowski in Nowe Ateny cite after "Carolo Berthold" that this ritual was already in custom in 750, 250 years before Poland officially adopted Christianity. Benedykt Joachim Chmielowski (1700 - 1753 was a Polish priest born in Łuck.

One theory is that Dyngus originates from the baptism on Easter Monday of Mieszko I (Duke of the Polans, c. Life In 965 Mieszko married Dobrawa (Dobrava Dubrawka daughter of Boleslav I, Duke of Bohemia. 935 - 992) in 966 AD, uniting all of Poland under the banner of Christianity. Dualism and "twins" are featured in Slavic pre-Christian paganism. Dyngus and Śmigus were twin pagan gods; the former representing water and the 'moist' earth (Dyngus from din gus - thin soup or dingen - nature) and the later, representing thunder and lightning (Smigus from Śmigać or to making a whooshing sound). In this theory, the water tradition is the transformation of the pagan water god into the Christian baptism. The custom of pouring water was an ancient spring rite of cleansing, purification, and fertility. It is alleged that the pagan Poles bickered with Nature/Dyngus by means of pouring water and switching with willows to make themselves pure and worthy of the coming year. Others have suggested that the striking tradition is the transformation of the ritual "slap" of Christian confirmation. However, still others suggest that the Smigus tradition is actually simply a youthful recapitulation of a Good Friday Polish tradition, in which parents wake their children with switches from twigs, whispering the words of a Lent prayer "the wounds of God" or "God is wounded" -'bozerani.

Early in the Colombian evolution of the tradition, the Dyngus custom was clearly differentiated from Śmigus: Dyngus was the exchange of gifts (usually eggs, often decorated like pisankas), under the threat of water splashing if one party did not have any eggs ready, while Śmigus referred to the striking. Polish pisanka (plural pisanki) is a common name for an egg (usually that of a Chicken, although

Later the focus shifted to the courting aspect of the ritual, and young unmarried girls were the only acceptable targets. A boy would sneak into the bedroom of the girl he fancied and awaken her by drenching her with multiple buckets of water. Politics played an important role in proceedings, and often the boy would get access to the house only by arrangement with the girl's mother.

Throughout the day, girls would find themselves the victims of drenchings and leg-whippings, and a daughter who was not targeted for such activities was generally considered to be beznadziejna (hopeless) in this very coupling-oriented environment.

Most recently, the tradition has changed to become fully water-focused, and the Śmigus part is almost forgotten. It is quite common for girls to attack boys just as fiercely as the boys traditionally attacked the girls. With much of Poland's population residing in tall apartment buildings, high balconies are favorite hiding places for young people who gleefully empty full buckets of water onto randomly selected passers-by.

Another related custom, unique to Poland is that of sprinkling bowls (garce) of ashes on people (starts men on women) or houses, celebrated a few weeks earlier at the "półpoście. " This custom is almost forgotten, but still practiced on the area around borders of Mazuria and Masovia.

Elsewhere in Europe

In Slovakia and the Czech Republic, traditionally, early in the morning, boys awake girls by pouring a bucket of water on their head. The word whip describes two basic types of tools A long stick-like device usually slightly flexible with a small bit of leather or cord called a "popper" on the Slovakia (long form Slovak Republic; Slovak:, long form, is a Landlocked country in Central Europe with a population of over five million The Czech Republic ( ˈt͡ʃɛskaː ˈrɛpuˌblɪka short form in Česko ˈt͡ʃɛskɔ also called Czechia, This practice is possibly connected to a pre-Christian, pagan fertility rite, that seems originated from the similar older customs as the Ancient Roman Lupercalia. For the saint by the name 'Lupercus' see Marcellus of Tangier.

Also, splashing water, and a special handmade whip decorated with ribbons called pomlázka (Slovak: korbáč) is used on females in the morning. The word whip describes two basic types of tools A long stick-like device usually slightly flexible with a small bit of leather or cord called a "popper" on the The boys usually accompany the whipping with a special Easter carol and then are given a decorated hard-boiled egg (a ribbon, or possibly a snifter of liquor). The girls would reward the boys who sprinkle with coins or Easter eggs. In the afternoon, females can douse males with cold water. In some other parts of Slovakia boys use water or perfume to splash the girls and then girls whip boys on Tuesday.

For Easter Monday in Hungary, perfume or perfumed-water is used. Hungary (Magyarország 'mɔɟɔrorsaːg) officially in English the Republic of Hungary ( Magyar Köztársaság, literally Magyar (Hungarian Republic Perfume is a mixture of fragrant Essential oils and Aroma compounds Fixatives and Solvents used to give the human body animals objects and living The girls would reward the boys who sprinkle with coins or Easter eggs.

Along with Good Friday, Easter Monday is a public holiday in historically-Protestant countries such as Germany, Denmark, Sweden and certain British Commonwealth countries such as Australia. Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. Good Friday and Easter Monday are Bank Holidays in the United Kingdom and in Canada, making a four-day weekend. A bank holiday is a Public holiday in the United Kingdom and also in the Republic of Ireland.

United States

Though not largely observed in the United States, the day remains informally observed in some areas such as the state of North Dakota, and some cities in New York, Michigan, and Indiana. North Dakota ( is a state located in the Midwestern and Western regions of the United States of America. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous Michigan ( is a Midwestern state of the United States of America. The State of Indiana ( was the 19th US state admitted into the union Easter Monday was a public holiday in North Carolina from 1935 to 1987. North Carolina ( is a state located on the Atlantic Seaboard in the southeastern United States

Traditionally Polish areas of the country such as Chicago observe Easter Monday as Dyngus Day. Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States. In the United States, Dyngus Day celebrations are widespread and popular in Buffalo, New York, Wyandotte, Michigan, Hamtramck, Michigan, La Porte and South Bend, Indiana. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Buffalo (ˈbʌfəloʊ is the second largest city in New York State. Wyandotte is a city in Wayne County in the US state of Michigan. Hamtramck (hæmˈtɹæmɪk is a city in Wayne County of the U La Porte ( French for "The Door" is a city in La Porte County, Indiana, United States, of which it is the County seat. South Bend is a city on the St Joseph river and a twin city of Mishawaka Indiana. Wet Monday is also celebrated at Jonathan Edwards College, one of the residential colleges at Yale University, when each year the freshman class storms the college with water weapons, where upperclassmen are ready to defend the college and ensure no one goes home dry. Jonathan Edwards College is a Residential college at Yale University.

Buffalo, New York

In Buffalo's eastern suburbs, Dyngus Day is celebrated with a level of enthusiasm that rivals St. Patrick's Day. Saint Patrick's Day (Lá ’le Pádraig or Lá Fhéile Pádraig) colloquially St Common tradition is to buy pussy willow (Salix discolor) to display in the home; this is tied to the "striking" custom from Poland, where goat willow, the European type of pussy willow, was traditionally used for whipping the legs of girls. Salix discolor ( American Willow) is a species of Willow native to North America, one of two species commonly called Pussy Willow Salix caprea ( Goat Willow, also known as the Pussy Willow or Great Sallow) is a common species of Willow native to Europe

South Bend and elsewhere in Indiana

In South Bend, Indiana, the day marks the official beginning to launch the year's political primary campaign season (particularly among Democrats)- often from within the West Side Democratic Club, the M. South Bend is a city on the St Joseph river and a twin city of Mishawaka Indiana. R. Falcons Club, and local pubs and fraternal halls, where buying drinks is favored over handshaking. Notable politicos who have celebrated Dyngus Day in South Bend include the late Robert F. Kennedy, former Governor Joe Kernan, Senator Evan Bayh, former Congressman John Brademas, former Maryland Lt. Robert Francis "Bobby" Kennedy (November 20 1925 – June 6 1968 also called RFK, was the United States Attorney General from 1961 to 1964 and a Joseph Eugene Kernan (born April 8, 1946) widely known as Joe Kernan, is an American politician who became the Governor of Indiana John Brademas, PhD (b March 2, 1927) is an American Politician and Educator originally from Indiana. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, former Congressman and 9/11 Commission member Timothy J. Roemer, former President Bill Clinton, and Aloysius J. Hon Kathleen Hartington Kennedy Townsend, (born July 4, 1951) was lieutenant governor of the U 9/11 Commission ReportThe National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, also known as the 9/11 Commission, was set up on November 27, 2002 Timothy John "Tim" Roemer (born October 30, 1956) is an American Political figure. William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton (born William Jefferson Blythe III, August 19 1946 served as the forty-second President of the United States Kromkowski, long time elected St. Joseph County public servant, for whom the "Al Kromkowski polka" is named.

Robert F. Kennedy's 1968 appearance was marked by his downtown rally attended by a crowd of over 6,000, his participation in the Dyngus Day parade, and his leading of the crowds at the West Side Democratic Club in the traditional Polish well wishing song Sto Lat (phonetic: 'sto la') which means "100 years". Year 1968 ( MCMLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Indiana was RFK's first primary and first primary victory, which set in motion momentum and victories that would have led to his nomination as the Democratic Party candidate for President had he not been assassinated.

Starting in 2004, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana began celebrating Dyngus Day at the request of South Bend students. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (abbreviated RHIT) formerly Rose Polytechnic Institute, is a small private non-sectarian College Terre Haute ( is a city in Vigo County, Indiana near the state's western border with Illinois. The event includes free Polish sausage for students as well as a free concert.

It is known throughout the greater South Bend area that the Tuesday after Dyngus Day is no time to be hanging out on Roy Drive as the fumes can become very overwhelming.

North Carolina

The Easter Monday holiday in North Carolina stemmed from the tradition in the early 20th century of state government workers taking the day off to attend the annual baseball game between North Carolina State College (Now North Carolina State University) and nearby Wake Forest College (now Wake Forest University and moved to Winston-Salem, NC). North Carolina ( is a state located on the Atlantic Seaboard in the southeastern United States North Carolina State University at Raleigh is a public, Coeducational extensive Research University located in Raleigh North Carolina Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational University in North Carolina, founded in 1834 Winston-Salem is a city in the US state of North Carolina. As of the 2000 census the city population was 185776 in 2004 the city annexed an additional 17483 The holiday was enacted in 1935 and remained until 1988, when the official state holiday was moved to Good Friday to match the rest of the nation. Good Friday, also called Holy Friday or Great Friday, is the Friday preceding Easter Sunday ("Pascha"

Elsewhere in the world

In Guyana, people fly kites, which are made on Holy Saturday. Guyana (ɡaɪˈænə or /ɡiːˈɑːnə/ officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and previously known as British Guiana, is the only Nation state Holy Saturday ( Latin: Sabbatum Sanctum) is the day after Good Friday.

In Egypt, the ancient festival of Sham El Nessim (Arabic: شم النسيم, literally meaning "smelling of the air") is celebrated on the Coptic (i. This article is about the country of Egypt For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Egypt topics. Sham el-Nessim ( Coptic: shom en nisim) (شم النسيم literally "sniffing the air" or "breathing the air" is an Egyptian holiday which Arabic (ar الْعَرَبيّة (informally ar عَرَبيْ) in terms of the number of speakers is the largest living member of the Semitic language History of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria Apostolic foundation Egypt is identified in the Bible as the place of refuge that the e. Eastern) Easter Monday, though the festival dates back to Pharonic times (about 2700 BC). Families of churches Eastern Christians have a shared tradition but they became divided ( Schism) during the early centuries of Christianity in disputes about Ancient Egypt was an Ancient Civilization in eastern North Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now It is celebrated by both Egyptian Christians and Muslims as an Egyptian national holiday rather than as a religious one. Traditional activities include painting eggs and eating fish that has been buried underground.

Official holiday

Easter Monday is an official holiday in the following countries:

Albania Andorra Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Aruba Australia Austria Bahamas Barbados Belgium Belize Benin Botswana British Virgin Islands Bulgaria (Julian Calendar) Burkina Faso Cameroon Canada Cape Verde Islands Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Cook Islands Côte d'Ivoire Croatia Cyprus (Julian Calendar) Czech Republic (Pomlázka) Denmark Dominica Egypt (as Sham El Nessim) Equatorial Guinea Faroe Islands Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina Fiji Finland France French Guiana Gabon Gambia

Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece (Julian Calendar) Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guatemala Guinea Guyana Haiti Hong Kong Hungary Iceland Ireland Isle of Man Italy Jamaica Kenya Kiribati Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia, Republic of (Julian Calendar) Malawi Martinique Moldova (Julian Calendar) Monaco Montenegro (Julian Calendar) Montserrat Namibia Nauru Netherlands Netherlands Antilles New Caledonia New Zealand

Niger Nigeria Niue Norway Papua New Guinea Poland Romania (Julian Calendar) Rwanda Senegal Serbia (Julian Calendar) Seychelles Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands South Africa (Family Day)[1] Spain (in some autonomous communities) St. Kitts and Nevis St. Lucia St. Pierre and Miquelon St. Vincent and the Grenadines Suriname Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria Tanzania Trinidad and Tobago Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Kingdom (except Scotland) U.S. Virgin Islands Vanuatu Western Samoa Zambia Zimbabwe

See also

• Easter
• Good Friday
• Easter Friday
• Easter Saturday
• Sham El Nessim

External links

• 2006 NPR Story on Dyngus Day (audio file)
• Poland's Dyngus Day, and other Easter Monday customs By Pip Wilson
• Dyngus Day Buffalo
• Czech Easter
• Another Czech Easter
• NC Easter Monday

References

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