EASTER
The Story of Easter Easter is a time of springtime festivals. In Christian countries Easter is celebrated as the religious
holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the son of God. But the celebrations of Easter have many customs and legends that are pagan in origin and have nothing to do with Christianity.
Scholars, accepting the derivation proposed by the 8th-century English scholar St. Bede, believe the name Easter is thought to come from the Scandinavian "Ostra" and the Teutonic "Ostern" or "Eastre," both Goddesses of mythology signifying spring and fertility whose festival was celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox.
Traditions associated with the festival survive in the Easter rabbit, a symbol of fertility, and in colored easter eggs, originally painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring, and used in Easter-egg rolling contests or given as gifts.
The Christian celebration of Easter embodies a number of converging traditions with emphasis on the relation of Easter to the Jewish festival of Passover, or Pesach, from which is derived Pasch, another name used by Europeans for Easter. Passover is an important feast in the Jewish calendar which is celebrated for 8 days and commemorates the flight and freedom of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
The early Christians, many of whom were of Jewish origin, were brought up in the Hebrew tradition and regarded Easter as a new feature of the Passover festival, a commemoration of the advent of the Messiah as foretold by the prophets. (For more information please visit our Passover celebration -
Easter is observed by the churches of the West on the first Sunday following the full moon that occurs on or following the spring equinox (March 21). So Easter became a "movable" feast which can occur as early as March 22 or as late as April 25.
Christian churches in the East which were closer to the birthplace of the new religion and in which old traditions were strong, observe Easter according to the date of the Passover festival.
Easter is at the end of the Lenten season, which covers a forty-six-day period that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends with Easter. The Lenten season itself comprises forty days, as the six Sundays in Lent are not actually a part of Lent. Sundays are considered a commemoration of Easter Sunday and have always been excluded from the Lenten fast. The Lenten season is a period of penitence in preparation for the highest festival of the church year, Easter.
Holy Week, the last week of Lent, begins with the observance of Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday takes its name from Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem where the crowds laid palms at his feet. Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, which was held the evening before the Crucifixion. Friday in Holy Week is the anniversary of the Crufixion, the day that Christ was crucified and died on the cross.
Holy week and the Lenten season end with Easter Sunday, the day of resurrection of Jesus Christ.
holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the son of God. But the celebrations of Easter have many customs and legends that are pagan in origin and have nothing to do with Christianity.
Scholars, accepting the derivation proposed by the 8th-century English scholar St. Bede, believe the name Easter is thought to come from the Scandinavian "Ostra" and the Teutonic "Ostern" or "Eastre," both Goddesses of mythology signifying spring and fertility whose festival was celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox.
Traditions associated with the festival survive in the Easter rabbit, a symbol of fertility, and in colored easter eggs, originally painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring, and used in Easter-egg rolling contests or given as gifts.
The Christian celebration of Easter embodies a number of converging traditions with emphasis on the relation of Easter to the Jewish festival of Passover, or Pesach, from which is derived Pasch, another name used by Europeans for Easter. Passover is an important feast in the Jewish calendar which is celebrated for 8 days and commemorates the flight and freedom of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
The early Christians, many of whom were of Jewish origin, were brought up in the Hebrew tradition and regarded Easter as a new feature of the Passover festival, a commemoration of the advent of the Messiah as foretold by the prophets. (For more information please visit our Passover celebration -
Easter is observed by the churches of the West on the first Sunday following the full moon that occurs on or following the spring equinox (March 21). So Easter became a "movable" feast which can occur as early as March 22 or as late as April 25.
Christian churches in the East which were closer to the birthplace of the new religion and in which old traditions were strong, observe Easter according to the date of the Passover festival.
Easter is at the end of the Lenten season, which covers a forty-six-day period that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends with Easter. The Lenten season itself comprises forty days, as the six Sundays in Lent are not actually a part of Lent. Sundays are considered a commemoration of Easter Sunday and have always been excluded from the Lenten fast. The Lenten season is a period of penitence in preparation for the highest festival of the church year, Easter.
Holy Week, the last week of Lent, begins with the observance of Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday takes its name from Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem where the crowds laid palms at his feet. Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, which was held the evening before the Crucifixion. Friday in Holy Week is the anniversary of the Crufixion, the day that Christ was crucified and died on the cross.
Holy week and the Lenten season end with Easter Sunday, the day of resurrection of Jesus Christ.
"In Old Testament times, the priest would bring bulls, goats or a spotless lamb without any blemishes to be sacrificed as a sin offering for himself and for the people.
The blood would purify and make atonement (forgive, make amends) for their sins. This was the old order of atonement. When Jesus came, He was a representation of the sacrificial lamb to take away the sins of the world.
He was the final sacrifice. We no longer have to sacrifice animals to make atonement for our sins.
Jesus has done this once and for all. It's His blood that cleanses us from all sin.
He was crucified on the cross (the form of execution in those days). The sin of the world was upon Him, yet He was without sin and blameless. He bore it all. This is why Jesus is referred to as the 'Lamb of God'. He was bodily resurrected (came back to life) on the third day. He appeared to many - eating and drinking with them. He appeared to them for 40 days, then ascended (went up to) Heaven. "
-Acts 1: 1-11
The blood would purify and make atonement (forgive, make amends) for their sins. This was the old order of atonement. When Jesus came, He was a representation of the sacrificial lamb to take away the sins of the world.
He was the final sacrifice. We no longer have to sacrifice animals to make atonement for our sins.
Jesus has done this once and for all. It's His blood that cleanses us from all sin.
He was crucified on the cross (the form of execution in those days). The sin of the world was upon Him, yet He was without sin and blameless. He bore it all. This is why Jesus is referred to as the 'Lamb of God'. He was bodily resurrected (came back to life) on the third day. He appeared to many - eating and drinking with them. He appeared to them for 40 days, then ascended (went up to) Heaven. "
-Acts 1: 1-11
symbols
1.Easter Bells:- Are rung in France and Italy throughout the year but they are not rung on the Thursday before good Friday. They are silent as way to remember the death of Jesus. They are then rung on Easter Sunday as way of telling people Jesus is alive again. The Cross:- This is the symbol for the Christian religion as Jesus was nailed to a cross but then came back to life.
2.The Easter Lily:- The lily was a reminder to the Christians of how Jesus came back to life. The white Easter Lily is used in many Easter services. It is supposed to be a symbol of the purity of the Virgin Mary.
3.Easter Flowers:- Such as daffodil, narcissus and the tulip. Area symbol as they bloom in the spring.
4.Pussy Willows:- These are especially picked at Easter in England and Russia. People would tap each other on the shoulders with a branch of the pussy willow for good luck.
5.Lambs:- The lamb is a symbol as people thought of Jesus as the Good Shepherd who would watch over them as they were lambs. Lambs are born in spring. The Israelites also used lamb's blood to save their firstborn in ancient Egypt.
6.Rabbits:- Rabbits are reminder of spring and new life. They were the favorite animal of the spring goddess Eastre.
7.The Egg:- These are a symbol of spring as well as Easter. They are a sign of new life.
8.Chicks:- The chicks are born from eggs and are a reminder of spring and Easter.
9.Candles:- Candles give light in darkness. Jesus is seen as "the eternal light" showing Christians the way from death to life.
10.Palm Branches:- These are used as a symbol of peace.
11.Bread:- Unleavened flat bread is eaten to remember Jesus's sacrifice.
12.Wine:- Red wine is drunk to remember Jesus shedding His blood for humans.
13.Fireworks:- These are believed to frighten away evil spirits. They also show that out of darkness comes light.
2.The Easter Lily:- The lily was a reminder to the Christians of how Jesus came back to life. The white Easter Lily is used in many Easter services. It is supposed to be a symbol of the purity of the Virgin Mary.
3.Easter Flowers:- Such as daffodil, narcissus and the tulip. Area symbol as they bloom in the spring.
4.Pussy Willows:- These are especially picked at Easter in England and Russia. People would tap each other on the shoulders with a branch of the pussy willow for good luck.
5.Lambs:- The lamb is a symbol as people thought of Jesus as the Good Shepherd who would watch over them as they were lambs. Lambs are born in spring. The Israelites also used lamb's blood to save their firstborn in ancient Egypt.
6.Rabbits:- Rabbits are reminder of spring and new life. They were the favorite animal of the spring goddess Eastre.
7.The Egg:- These are a symbol of spring as well as Easter. They are a sign of new life.
8.Chicks:- The chicks are born from eggs and are a reminder of spring and Easter.
9.Candles:- Candles give light in darkness. Jesus is seen as "the eternal light" showing Christians the way from death to life.
10.Palm Branches:- These are used as a symbol of peace.
11.Bread:- Unleavened flat bread is eaten to remember Jesus's sacrifice.
12.Wine:- Red wine is drunk to remember Jesus shedding His blood for humans.
13.Fireworks:- These are believed to frighten away evil spirits. They also show that out of darkness comes light.
The meaning of easter
Many people are wondering what Easter actually means, as the true meaning of Easter has been lost. What I can tell you is it isn't about cute little fluffy chickens, nor does it have anything to do with Easter bunnies.
It isn't even about Easter eggs. Although an egg can represent 'new life' because new life hatches from the egg, and Jesus was resurrected on the third day - giving us new life in Him. But just like Christmas, the real meaning has been forgotten. For those of us who are Christians, we understand what Easter is all about. But for those who haven't experienced this 'new life' in Jesus, I want to share with you the Easter story.
However, Easter did not always symbolize Christ's resurrection from the dead and the meaning of Easter was quite different than what Christians celebrate today. The feast day of Easter was originally a pagan celebration of renewal and rebirth. Celebrated in the early spring, it honored the pagan Saxon goddess Eastre. When the early missionaries converted the Saxons to Christianity, the holiday, since it fell around the same time as the traditional memorial of Christ's resurrection from the dead, was merged with the pagan celebration, and became know as Easter. The meaning of Easter was also changed to reflect its new Christian orientation.
Today, the meaning of Easter, for million of Christians, is that of honoring and recognizing Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead, and His glorious promises of eternal life for all who believe in Him.
It isn't even about Easter eggs. Although an egg can represent 'new life' because new life hatches from the egg, and Jesus was resurrected on the third day - giving us new life in Him. But just like Christmas, the real meaning has been forgotten. For those of us who are Christians, we understand what Easter is all about. But for those who haven't experienced this 'new life' in Jesus, I want to share with you the Easter story.
However, Easter did not always symbolize Christ's resurrection from the dead and the meaning of Easter was quite different than what Christians celebrate today. The feast day of Easter was originally a pagan celebration of renewal and rebirth. Celebrated in the early spring, it honored the pagan Saxon goddess Eastre. When the early missionaries converted the Saxons to Christianity, the holiday, since it fell around the same time as the traditional memorial of Christ's resurrection from the dead, was merged with the pagan celebration, and became know as Easter. The meaning of Easter was also changed to reflect its new Christian orientation.
Today, the meaning of Easter, for million of Christians, is that of honoring and recognizing Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead, and His glorious promises of eternal life for all who believe in Him.
TRADITION
Young Slovaks dressed in traditional costumes throw a bucket of water at a girl as part of Easter celebrations in the village of Trencianska Tepla, 145 km north of Bratislava. Slovakia's men splash women with water and hit them with a willow to symbolize youth, strength and beauty for the upcoming spring season.
Easter Traditions Around the World Widespread egg-demonium Because of its Pagan, Jewish and Christian connections, Easter is a holiday celebrated by a variety of cultures across the world - many of whom also have customs, rituals and practices that are unique to their community or family.
Unknown to some, Easter is not confined to Easter Sunday. In fact, one U.S. Easter custom in New Orleans, LA, dictates that Easter celebrations begin on the day of the Epiphany, which represents the close of the ecclesiastical Christmas season. And one Eastern European nation, Greece, grants students a holiday for the two weeks following Easter Sunday. Imagine if kids could follow both traditions, they would be able to celebrate the Easter season for almost 18 weeks!
Christian faiths begin observing the event on Ash Wednesday, 46 days prior to Easter Sunday. During the following weeks, various rituals are practiced in different churches, concluding with Holy Week. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday and includes Maundy Thursday (from Mandatum -Latin for commandment), Good Friday (from God’s Friday, also known as the Day of the Cross), Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. Many Christians extend the celebration to include Easter Monday as well.
Of course, a full 40 days of that “celebrating” includes the Lenten fast and abstinence decreed by Christian churches to prepare people for the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Depending on where you live and your level of faith and conviction, this practice is held to various degrees of adherence. Of course, fasting and abstaining for so long can ultimately have human consequences, particularly indulgence - people often feel the need to revel immediately before and after the complete denial they undergo during the time of Lent, as in the Western European tradition of Carnivale.
No matter where you are Despite where you physically spend the holiday, with its ethnic, religious, natural and spiritual relevancies, Easter is an event that can be tailored to your own belief system. The many festivities and reverences associated with the holiday can help you and your family create your own distinct traditions - so however you choose to celebrate it, make the most of it!
Easter Traditions Around the World Widespread egg-demonium Because of its Pagan, Jewish and Christian connections, Easter is a holiday celebrated by a variety of cultures across the world - many of whom also have customs, rituals and practices that are unique to their community or family.
Unknown to some, Easter is not confined to Easter Sunday. In fact, one U.S. Easter custom in New Orleans, LA, dictates that Easter celebrations begin on the day of the Epiphany, which represents the close of the ecclesiastical Christmas season. And one Eastern European nation, Greece, grants students a holiday for the two weeks following Easter Sunday. Imagine if kids could follow both traditions, they would be able to celebrate the Easter season for almost 18 weeks!
Christian faiths begin observing the event on Ash Wednesday, 46 days prior to Easter Sunday. During the following weeks, various rituals are practiced in different churches, concluding with Holy Week. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday and includes Maundy Thursday (from Mandatum -Latin for commandment), Good Friday (from God’s Friday, also known as the Day of the Cross), Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. Many Christians extend the celebration to include Easter Monday as well.
Of course, a full 40 days of that “celebrating” includes the Lenten fast and abstinence decreed by Christian churches to prepare people for the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Depending on where you live and your level of faith and conviction, this practice is held to various degrees of adherence. Of course, fasting and abstaining for so long can ultimately have human consequences, particularly indulgence - people often feel the need to revel immediately before and after the complete denial they undergo during the time of Lent, as in the Western European tradition of Carnivale.
No matter where you are Despite where you physically spend the holiday, with its ethnic, religious, natural and spiritual relevancies, Easter is an event that can be tailored to your own belief system. The many festivities and reverences associated with the holiday can help you and your family create your own distinct traditions - so however you choose to celebrate it, make the most of it!
Easter Tradition around the world
-Colombia : In Colombia instead of tucking into chocolate eggs, they enjoy eating iguana, turtle and the world's largest rodent for their traditional Easter dinner.
-Czech Republic: Easter Monday is marked by an unusual ritual in which boys whip girls around the legs with braided whips. The whipping is supposed to bestow health and youth for the rest of the year and is also seen as a measure of how popular a girl is—the more whips the better.
-Finland :In some parts of Western Finland, people burn bonfires on Easter Saturday. The tradition stems from a belief that the flames could ward off witches flying around between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
-Poland:In Poland, custom has it that if the master of the house helped to prepare the traditional Easter bread, his moustache will go grey and the dough will fail, so he is banned from taking part.
-Greece :Easter is the most important religious holiday in the Greek Orthodox calendar. Shops line their windows with brightly-coloured wrappings for Easter candles and chocolate eggs. Greek families sit down to a meal of whole roasted lamb or kid goat on Easter Sunday.
-Spain :Hundreds of processions involving participants dressed in white robes take place during Holy Week— Semana Santa in Spanish. Religious statues are carried by religious fraternities. Cities such as Valladolid and Malaga are particularly well known for their Holy Week processions.
-Dominican Republic : there are parades on Holy Thursday and Good Friday: the best known is the huge procession, known as the Samana Santa Procession, that begins at the 16th-century Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor in Santo Domingo after morning Mass; and features costumed marchers and hoisted figures representing Jesus.
-Haiti:Haiti's Holy Week activities include loud and colourful processions on Good Friday, highlighted by bands playing 'rara' music on bamboo trumpets, maracas, drums, even coffee cans. As is typical in Haiti, Easter is a mix of Catholic and Voodoo traditions: voodoo believers make their annual pilgrimage to the Haitian village of Souvenance to express devotion to the African spirits, or loas that form the foundation of the religion.
-Czech Republic: Easter Monday is marked by an unusual ritual in which boys whip girls around the legs with braided whips. The whipping is supposed to bestow health and youth for the rest of the year and is also seen as a measure of how popular a girl is—the more whips the better.
-Finland :In some parts of Western Finland, people burn bonfires on Easter Saturday. The tradition stems from a belief that the flames could ward off witches flying around between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
-Poland:In Poland, custom has it that if the master of the house helped to prepare the traditional Easter bread, his moustache will go grey and the dough will fail, so he is banned from taking part.
-Greece :Easter is the most important religious holiday in the Greek Orthodox calendar. Shops line their windows with brightly-coloured wrappings for Easter candles and chocolate eggs. Greek families sit down to a meal of whole roasted lamb or kid goat on Easter Sunday.
-Spain :Hundreds of processions involving participants dressed in white robes take place during Holy Week— Semana Santa in Spanish. Religious statues are carried by religious fraternities. Cities such as Valladolid and Malaga are particularly well known for their Holy Week processions.
-Dominican Republic : there are parades on Holy Thursday and Good Friday: the best known is the huge procession, known as the Samana Santa Procession, that begins at the 16th-century Cathedral of Santa Maria la Menor in Santo Domingo after morning Mass; and features costumed marchers and hoisted figures representing Jesus.
-Haiti:Haiti's Holy Week activities include loud and colourful processions on Good Friday, highlighted by bands playing 'rara' music on bamboo trumpets, maracas, drums, even coffee cans. As is typical in Haiti, Easter is a mix of Catholic and Voodoo traditions: voodoo believers make their annual pilgrimage to the Haitian village of Souvenance to express devotion to the African spirits, or loas that form the foundation of the religion.