Resurrection

Resurrection is a Cyridian festival celebrating her resurrection at the Sunburst Reliquary. It is celebrated on the spring equinox.

It is the day on which the Clergy of Cyridia traditionally burns heretics at the stake. Some of these executions are public but the majority of them are conducted out of sight.

Resurrection is celebrated with sacred music and theater reenacting the story of Cyridia's reassembly. Whereas most of artistic works at Athvrean festivals are performed by adults, the music and plays for Resurrection are traditionally performed by children, who usually do so wearing homemade hawk costumes. Temple flames as well as hearths are allowed to burn brighter and hotter than usually. The color of temple flames is modified to yellow using metal salts for the occasion. Streets and homes are decorated with yellow banners as well.

Just as Cyridia purged her enemies after her return, the days around the festival are often used as an opportunity to clean the home and throw away what is no longer needed. Drinking bitter worm mint concoctions as a challenge among teen boys and young men is also figures into this festival. More widely, shots of Blissroot are taken by people of all ages as prayer for good health and longevity.

Food around the day tends towards yellows. Sweet rice dishes using lemon, mango, and papaya are sold as street fare. More substantial offerings tend to use peppers and are known for how hot they are. This, again, has morphed into challenges among boys and young men. Persimmon and other fruit wines are liberally poured throughout.

Athletic competitions are common as well, including footraces for women and lifting challenges for men. These are traditionally for nothing more than bragging rights and desirability, but larger urban centers offer purses to the winners of such events.