Easter explained
- CHRISTIANITY
The name is derived from Pesach, the Hebrew name of Passover, a Jewish holiday.
Easter occurs on any date between March 23rd and April 26th. The actual date is set as the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs after March 21. Originally Christian Easter was celebrated at the same time as Jews celebrated Passover, the 14th day of the month of Nisan. This was moved to Sundays which had become the Christian sabbath or day or rest.
The Holy week begins with the observance of Palm Sunday (the name originated from Jesus's entry in Jerusalem). The crowds laid carpets of palms on the street for him. The Last Supper is commemorated on Holy Thursday of special week and Friday is the anniversary of the crucification of Jesus Christ. The Holy week ends with Easter Sunday (resurrection of Jesus Christ).
In the bible: read Matthew 27:27-28:8; Mark 15:16-16:19; Luke 23:26-24:35; and John 19:16-20:30 for an account of Jesus' death, his burial and resurrection.
Food:
Ever since the 9th century, the main course of the Pope's Easter dinner has traditionally been roast lamb. Easter lamb also has its roots in the Jewish holiday Passover. Lamb is traditionally served at Passover to commemorate the lamb that was sacrificed at the Holy Temple of Jerusalem on the eve of the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt.
Bread is symbolic of the resurrection of Christ - flour comes to life and transforms itself to bread.
Hot Cross Buns are traditionally served on Good Friday
Simnel cake is baked for tea.
Boiled eggs are traditionally served at breakfast.
Easter eggs: in many ancient cultures, eggs were a common symbol new life and immortality. In medieval times, Christians adapted the egg to their own religious devotions by giving up the eating of eggs during Lent and resuming it after Easter. Eggs came to represent the Lord's resurrection -- just as Christ broke out of the tomb on Easter morning, the yolk of the egg breaks out of its shell when cracked. The decoration of eggs for Easter is part of the folk traditions of many cultures, although it has little or no religious significance anymore.
The Easter rabbit is a popular secular symbol for Easter that has not taken on a Christian interpretation. The symbol of the Easter rabbit originated with the pagan festival of Eastre. The goddess Eastre was worshipped by the Anglo-Saxons through her earthly symbol, the rabbit.
The idea of an egg-laying rabbit came to the US in the 18th century. German immigrants in the Pennsylvania Dutch area told their children about the "Osterhase". "Hase" means "hare", not rabbit, and in Northwest European folklore the "Easter Bunny" indeed is a hare, not a rabbit.
The Paschal candle: is an ancient symbol of the risen Jesus and commonly used in liturgical parishes during the Great Fifty Days of Easter. It is a very large white candle, the largest and tallest of all sanctuary candles. Paschal candles are always inscribed with a cross, the current year, and the Greek letters alpha and omega (Revelation 1:8 and 22:13), signifying that the Lord is present in His church now in the present year and forever in eternity. Sometimes, five grains of incense, symbolizing the five wounds of Christ, are pressed into the arms and center of the cross with pins or small nails. The paschal candle is prominently featured in the service of the Great Vigil at which it is first lighted and brought into the sanctuary. According to ancient liturgical tradition, it is allowed to shine continuously throughout the Great Fifty Days until it is finally extinguished on Ascension Day. After that, it is removed from its place next to the altar and placed near the baptismal font. It is lighted at baptisms to remind Christians that in baptism we are crucified and raised with Jesus (Romans 6:3-5). The paschal candle is also lighted at Christian funerals as a reminder that those who die in Christ are raised up with Him.
- ORTHODOX & PROTESTANT
Many Protestant churches hold interdenominational services in order to focus on the unity of all Christians and as part of a culmination of special church services throughout Holy Week.
- JUDAISM - PASSOVER SEDER
Passover always begins on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Nissan. Like all Jewish holidays, Passover begins the evening before.
Biblically, Pesach lasts for seven days, but, since Rabbinic times, many communities observe eight days. The prohibition against eating leavened foods lasts until sundown after the final day of the holiday.
Eating specific foodstuffs is an important part of the celebration, with different foods representing historical events.
Matzoh: as a reminder of the haste with which the Israelites fled Egypt, leaving no time for dough to rise
Maror: bitter herbs, used to symbolize the bitterness of slavery
Charoses: a mixture of apples, nuts, wine, and cinnamon, as a reminder of the mortar used by the Jews in the construction of buildings as slaves
Beitzah: a roasted egg, as a symbol of life and the perpetuation of existence
Karpas: a vegetable (parsley or celery), representing hope and redemption, served with a bowl of salted water to represent the tears shed
Zeroah: traditionally a piece of roasted lamb shankbone, symbolizing the paschal sacrificial offering
Wine: four glasses of wine to represent the four-fold promise of redemption, with a special glass left for Elijah the prophet
- To see the Easter & Passover dates up to 2020, go to Easter dates.
- To see when & where Easter is an official Holiday, go to Holidays.