What is Easter ?
For Christians around the world, Easter season is a significant time of celebration and reflection. Rooted in biblical accounts, Easter commemorates the ultimate sacrifice and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, who Christians believe came to save them from humanity’s sins. It is a period that inspires introspection and a desire for spiritual renewal.
The origin of Easter started with early Christians celebrating the Passover, which took place on the fourteenth of Nisan (our March-April), the date of the Jewish Passover.
The celebration is observed on the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs after the spring equinox. Western churches use the Gregorian calendar to determine this date, while Orthodox churches follow the Julian calendar.
According to the New Testament, Easter is three days after the death of Jesus on the cross.
Easter follows a period of fasting called Lent, in which many churches set aside time for repentance and remembrance. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Good Friday, the day of Jesus' crucifixion.
The 40-day period was established by Pope Gregory I using the 40-day pattern of Israel, Moses, Elijah, and Jesus' time in the wilderness.
Surprisingly, the origin of Easter also has links to older, non-Christian traditions, especially those connected to spring and new life. The timing of Easter aligns with springtime in the Northern Hemisphere, a season many ancient cultures celebrated as a time of renewal and growth.
One such ancient festival was dedicated to Eostre or Ostara, a pagan goddess of spring and fertility, celebrated around the spring equinox. Some believe the name "Easter" might come from "Eostre."
Furthermore, some Easter symbols and customs, like eggs and rabbits, have pagan origins. Eggs, for instance, were widely used in ancient cultures as symbols of fertility and rebirth.
According to the New Testament accounts, Easter Sunday began with the dawn of a new day, following the sorrowful crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday. As the sun rose, the women who had followed Jesus, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, made their way to the tomb where Jesus had been laid. Upon arrival, they discovered the stone rolled away from the entrance and the tomb empty.
This momentous discovery was accompanied by the appearance of angels who proclaimed the astounding news: "He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Overwhelmed with awe and wonder, the women rushed to share the incredible news with the disciples.
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