Brazilian Christian Holiday (Easter) Object: "Ovo de Pascoa"

These Brazilian Christian Easter eggs, called "ovos de Pascoa," are made of chocolate, and wrapped in brightly colored plastic. The ovos are part of the Brazilian celebration of Easter.

On Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As part of the Easter season, the death of Jesus Christ is commemorated on Good Friday, the Friday preceding Easter.

Brazil has the largest Catholic population in the world. "Semana Santa", or Holy Week, is observed throughout the country with processions and rituals similar to those of other Catholic countries. Easter observances including processions and masses on Palm Sunday and the ceremonial washing of 12 peoples' feet by the priest during a "Lava-pés", or Washing of the Feet. A service is held between sunset on Holy Saturday and sunrise on Easter Sunday, with the lighting of a new fire which will, in turn, light the Easter Candle, symbol of Jesus Christ's light unto the world.

Brazilians eat thousands of chocolate Easter eggs. Major supermarkets and big-box stores display so many Easter eggs that they must build temporary structures above all the aisles, from which the eggs are hung, just within reach.

The Christian faith is based on the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus or Christ. Jesus, (7–2 BC/BCE – 30–36 AD/CE), is the central figure of Christianity. Most Christian denominations venerate him as God the Son.

The principal sources of information regarding Jesus are the four canonical gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The gospels declare that Jesus was a Jew born in Bethlehem, in the Roman province of Judea. At the age of 30, he began to preach throughout Palestine, which was then under Roman rule. The gospels describe miracles that Jesus performed such as raising the dead.

Most critical historians agree that Jesus was a Jew who was regarded as a teacher and healer. He was crucified in Jerusalem, on the orders of the Roman Prefect of Judaea, on the charge of sedition against the Roman Empire. Christians believe that Jesus then rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, from which he will return.

Source:
Source Citation (MLA 7th Edition) "Jesus Christ." Children's Illustrated Encyclopedia. New York: Dorling Kindersley, 2010. 297. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Web. 1 July 2013. Document URL: http://go.galegroup.com.ezproxy.lapl.org/ps/i.do?id=GALE|CX1796500200&v=2.1&u=lapl&it=r&p=GVRL&sw=w http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus http://gobrazil.about.com/od/festivalsevents/p/brazholyweek.htm http://flavorsofbrazil.blogspot.com/2010/03/foods-of-easter-in-brazil-chocolate.html http://christianity.about.com/od/holidaytips/qt/whatiseaster.htm Barooah, Jahnabi. “Easter Eggs: History, Origin, Symbolism and Traditions”. The Huffington Post. Updated 03/31/2013. Document URL: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/02/easter-eggs-history-origin-symbolism-tradition_n_1392054.html