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→Modern Tradition
==Modern Tradition==
With the emergence of Protestantism in the 16th century, Christian traditions, such as Lent, fasting, and celebration of Easter, began to change again. Liturgical decrees during the Easter period were dropped and various traditions developed. The key change was many Protestant denominations dropped Lent. This had more to do with separating themselves from the Catholic church than a rejection of the traditions themselves. However, Anglican traditions did retain Lent and Eastern Orthodox and Eastern churches in general have retained a form of Lent. One thing that remained consistent is the timing of when to celebrate Easter, even though the specific day celebrated was often not likely the day Christ would have resurrected. The eating of hot cross buns on Easter may have emerged in Britain during the time of Elizabeth the First, who banned buns shaped with crosses except during the time of Easter. This was a way to force people away from Catholic traditions. The bun, itself, was another likely pre-Christian food often eaten during the feasts associated with the spring equinox.
In Russian Orthodox traditions, decorating and coloring eggs were also popular and were influenced by Christianity coming from the Middle East. However, Russian traditions elaborated on this practice. The Medieval and early modern traditions began to decorate eggs more elaborately. This tradition derived from creating jewellery in the form of eggs to celebrate Easter, with the precious items being symbolic of the importance of the resurrection symbolized through the egg shape. Artificial eggs of silver and gold, ivory or porcelain, and usually containing various jewels were created by craftsmen. Carl Fabergé in the 19th Century decided to decorate eggs and present them to the Russian Czar and Czarina as an Easter present. This has led to these eggs being famous museum pieces today.
