Happy Easter

 

 

 

 

History of Easter - Story of Easter       

 Easter recalls the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is a joyous festival that coincides with
the arrival of the Spring season. Easter is
celebrated by the Roman Catholic and Protestant
churches on the first Sunday after the first full
moon following the Spring solstice. Orthodox
Christian churches observe Easter on the first
Sunday following the end of the Jewish Passover.
The Western or Latin churches (Roman Catholic
and Protestant) place emphasis on the ancient
astronomical methods of calculating the day of
observance of the Easter holiday, while the Orthodox
churches place greater importance on terrestrial
recollections, such as the order of historical
events leading up to the resurrection of Jesus.
Consequently, for Orthodox Christians, the Easter
holiday must follow the Passover holiday, since the
Last Supper that Jesus had was a Passover seder.
Depending on the arrival of the full moon and the
dates of the Passover holiday, the Easter holiday
for the Western churches may fall on a day before,
during, or after the Passover holidays.

The rabbit, egg, and chick, symbolize the arrival
of Spring and are associated with rebirth and
renewal of life. This representation, combined with
the resurrection of Jesus, gave Christianity an
important connection between humanity and nature,
the latter being the centerpiece of pagan life in
pre-Christian Europe, and a central theme in
overlapping and transferring loyalty from pagan
festivals to the celebrations of Christianity. Easter Bar

Symbols of Easter   

Easter abounds with symbolism.
The rabbit, bunny, lamb, cross, lighted candles,
eggs and chicks, are all seen as having importance
in the celebration of Easter. Purple Eggs Bar

Easter is the holiest day of the Christian
religion. Christian theology generally centers
around the resurrection of Jesus and his relation
to mankind. The name 'Easter' might originate
from either a Teutonic or Germanic goddess of
Spring, called 'Eostre', or from the Teutonic or
Germanic festival of Spring, called 'Eostur'. The
date for the Easter holiday must come between
March 22nd and April 25th. Colourful Eggs Bar

Pastel Bar

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                   

                                                                 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                

 

                                                            

 

 

                                                              

 

According to the World Book Dictionary (1968),
paganism is defined as "one who is not
a Christian, Jew, or Moslem. For instance, the
ancient Greeks and Romans were pagans".

Lighted candles and/or bonfires also symbolize
light, renewal, hope and warmth. They most likely
acquired these meanings from the more
nature-oriented ideas of paganism.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easter has its origins in both Jewish and Pagan
traditions

The word for 'Easter' in French, Italian,
Portuguese, and Spanish comes from the
Hebrew word 'Pesach' or Passover.

 

                                                                                               

 

 

 

 

 

In French, the word for 'Easter' is 'Pâques'.

In Italian, the word for 'Easter' is 'Pasqua'.

In Portuguese, the word for 'Easter' is 'Páscoa',
and in Spanish, the word for 'Easter' is 'Pascua'.
However, in German, the word for 'Easter' is
'Ostern'

Prior to Easter Sunday, the day of the
resurrection of Jesus, there is a 40-day
period of fasting and solemn observance
called 'Lent'. This period is marked by
abstinence from celebratory activities.

The period of Lent is observed in remembrance of
Jesus' 40 days of fasting in the wilderness.

These 40 days of fasting in the wilderness are
reminiscent of the Israelites' 40 days in the
wilderness of the Sinai desert, when they did not
have time to bake bread for food, because they
were fleeing from slavery in Egypt.

The final week of Lent is called Holy Week.
This recalls the final week in the life of Jesus.
Hop here to see how Easter is celebrated
in the the birthplace of Jesus, the Holy Land.

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday. This recalls
Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

                                        Multiple egg border


Palm Sunday is named for Jesus' disciples
laying palm branches before him, as he entered
Jerusalem.

On Spy Wednesday, Christians remember the
betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot.

On Monday Thursday, Christians honour the
Last Supper that Jesus had with the 12
Apostles or leading disciples.

The following day is Good Friday, where a
sombre mood prevails among Christians as
they remember the crucifixion of Jesus.

On Saturday, Christians begin the sacrament of
hope and expectation of the reappearance of Jesus.

At 12 A.M. on Saturday evening/Sunday morning,
there is a midnight mass highlighted by the
church leader announcing that Jesus has risen
from the dead. This results in a joyous celebration
by all Christians throughout Easter Sunday.

                                                   Eggs bar

One Easter tradition that is observed in many
families is the Easter egg hunt. Parents
hide chocolate Easter eggs around the house
and the children take delight in finding as
many as they can. YUM, YUM!!

Another common Easter tradition is the traditional
egg-rolling contest held on the White House lawn
every year. This tradition was started by
President Andrew Johnson in the mid 1870s.
For more information about this tradition, go
to the White House! Here is the origin of
egg-rolling.

I'll bet you never thought the Pope could groove!
Well, here's the answer, dude! Check out the
hip-hop Pope at the Vatican!

Remember to have a happy and safe Easter holiday!