What is Easter?
Easter is a popular and significant festival of the Christians that they celebrate with their family members and close friends. Basically, it is celebrated as Jesus was resurrected from the tomb on the third day after his crucifixion.
It is believed that Jesus or Messiah died for the sins of the humankind and rise again on the third day. And that’s the reason resurrection of Jesus or Messiah is considered as the victory over sin with renewed hopes and desires. Eater is followed by Lent, which is another religious festival celebrated by the Christians for repentance and remembrance. Lent begins on the day of Ash Wednesday and ends on Good Friday, which is also the Jesus Crucifixion day.
Easter week is commonly known as ‘The Holy Week’ or ‘Passion Week,’ which includes Palm Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Good Friday. There is no denial in the fact that Easter Sunday is an immensely significant day in the Christianity religion. The Jesus or Messiah gifted the eternal life in heaven to those who believed in Jesus’s death and resurrection.
Origin and History of Easter
The origination of the word Easter Sunday isn’t certain. In the 18th century, an Anglo-Saxon monk and scholar, Bede comes up with the word Eostre or Eastre, a Teutonic goddess of spring and fertility. The possibility of the meaning of the word is “the season of the growing sun” or “the season of a new birth.” So, in this way, Easter Sunday is linked to the changing of the season! Also, there are many myths and stories associated with the Easter Sunday and its origination of the word!
When Is Easter?
This year will fall on Sunday, April 12, 2020. The dates of the Easter Sunday change every year, but it falls on Sunday. The Easter Sunday holiday coincides with the vernal equinox that also comes along with the spring season.
The festival of Easter always occurs on the first Sunday after the Paschal full moon. The paschal moon is basically the first moon that occurs after the vernal equinox, which signifies in the Northern Hemisphere. Now, determining the date of the Easter is bit tricky as the spring equinox is recognized by the church on March 21. However, the spring equinox falls on March 20, just like this year due to which the date of the Easter changes!
In this 20th century, several attempts are made to fix a permanent date for the Easter. Along with this, there were many proposals came up, which doesn’t lead to any fruitful decision! This Holy day is of utmost significance for the Christians which is followed by different other commemorations and celebrations!
How the Easter Holiday is Celebrated?
Easter Sunday is celebrated amazingly and differently around the world. In the US, the painted eggs and baskets full of sweets are given. And, British Children celebrate Easter by simply hunting for the chocolate eggs that are left by the Easter Bunny.
Then, there comes Greeks that eat Tsoureki, which is a traditionally baked bread eaten with red-dyed eggs. Well, every country and state have their own way of celebrating the immensely religious festival, Easter Sunday.
Adding on to it, in ancient times, the Easter Sunday holiday was celebrated differently. There was a tradition associated with Easter that weaving new clothes on Easter Sunday meant good luck for the rest of the year!
Easter is celebrated all over the world with different traditions and celebration ways! On Easter, it’s a religious holiday, which is basically a commercial event on which sales for greetings cards, chocolate eggs, candies and other gifts is quite high! So, this year on Easter Sunday holidays, what are your plans to celebrate it?
