The venerable Authorized or King James Version (KJV) uses the word Easter in one verse in Acts 12.4. Early editions of the King James Version also included a table for finding the date of Easter. They clearly had no objection to the use of the word. In Acts 12.4 in the KJV the word Easter translated the Greek 'pascha'.
But wait, Easter is mentioned in the New Testament: Acts 12:4. This is the only verse in the New Testament that uses the word “Easter”—and you'll find it if you are using a King James Bible.
When did Christians start using the word "Easter"?
In the 8th century AD, Anglo-Saxon monk and scholar Bede recorded in his The Reckoning of Time that Ēosturmōnaþ (Old English for 'Month of Ēostre', translated in Bede's time as "Paschal month") was an English month, corresponding to April, which he says "was once called after a goddess of theirs named Ēostre, in whose ...
Throughout the Old Testament, God promised a Messiah who would save His people. Easter is the fulfillment of that promise. In Acts 13:32–33, Paul says, “We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus.” Easter proves that God keeps His word.
Easter, also known as Pascha (Πάσχα), is one of the biggest holidays in Greece. Since the majority of Greece identifies themselves as Orthodox Christians, this religious holiday is intertwined into the culture. This means that there are a lot of traditions within the Greek culture associated with Pascha, as well.
The naming of the celebration as “Easter” seems to go back to the name of a pre-Christian goddess in England, Eostre, who was celebrated at beginning of spring. The only reference to this goddess comes from the writings of the Venerable Bede, a British monk who lived in the late seventh and early eighth century.
Well, it turns out Easter actually began as a pagan festival celebrating spring in the Northern Hemisphere, long before the advent of Christianity. "Since pre-historic times, people have celebrated the equinoxes and the solstices as sacred times," University of Sydney Professor Carole Cusack said.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 – Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. Romans 6:3-4 — Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
I've been asked, “What do Jews do for Easter?” many times in my life. The answer is, “Nothing. We celebrate Passover!” Passover will begin at sunset on Friday, April 22 and commence at sunset on Saturday, April 30.
The modern English term Easter developed from the Old English word Ēastre or Ēostre (Old English pronunciation: [ˈæːɑstre, ˈeːostre]), which itself developed prior to 899, originally referring to the name of the Anglo-Saxon goddess Ēostre.
In most of the world, the name of the holiday celebrating Jesus Christ's resurrection comes from the Hebrew word Pesach, which refers to the Passover holiday. The English word for this holiday is unique: Easter. This word comes from the Old English word Eōstre, the name of the pre-Christian English goddess of dawn.
"Easter was clearly being celebrated by Mediterranean Christians during the second century, and probably in the first century as well," Barr said. "As such, there is no way that it is derived from a Nordic or Germanic pagan festival that, if it historically existed, postdates the Christian celebration.
Passover and Easter share many similarities as they occur during the same time of the year, and some aspects of their celebrations are similar. They are, however, fundamentally different holidays. Passover is a Jewish holiday, whereas Easter is a Christian holiday.
The modern explanation is that "Passover" in verse 4 refers to both Passover and the feast of unleavened bread, taken as a single festival; but, since "Pascha" in Greek is also the Greek word for Easter (the celebration of Christ's resurrection), and Easter logically comes after Passover in the calendar, the early ...
Why is Easter called Easter? The English word Easter, which parallels the German word Ostern, is of uncertain origin. It likely derives from the Christian designation of Easter week as in albis, a Latin phrase that was understood as the plural of alba (“dawn”) and became eostarum in Old High German.
While Muslims do not celebrate Easter, the occasion can be a moment for reflection, understanding, and interfaith dialogue. Recognising each other's beliefs with respect can strengthen mutual appreciation and peace among faith communities.
Eosturmonath has a name which is now translated as 'Paschal month' [Easter month], and which was once called after a goddess of theirs named Eostre, in whose honour feasts were celebrated in that month.
What is the difference between Easter and Greek Easter?
Easter continues to be celebrated on two different dates depending on which church you belong to. The Orthodox Easter now falls anywhere between April 4 and May 8 and the Catholic Easter falls anywhere between March 22 and April 25. In rare instances, the dates align, and Easter is celebrated simultaneously.
Ēostre ([ˈeːostre]) is an Anglo-Saxon goddess mentioned by Bede in his 8th century work The Reckoning of Time. He wrote that pagan Anglo-Saxons had held feasts in her honour during the month named after her: Ēosturmōnaþ (April), and that this became the English name for the Paschal season: Easter.
Originally known as the Spring Equinox, the word Easter parallels the German word Ostern which is derived from Eostre or Ostara, the Anglo-Saxon Goddess of Spring. In German stories, Ostara is believed to have been responsible for bringing about spring each year.
The LIFEPAC 1st Grade Bible Unit 10 Worktext from AOP can help with information that teaches Easter's true meaning as found in 1 Corinthians 15:3b-4, "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." Perhaps it's time we ...
As Christianity began to sweep across Europe, many pagan festivals and traditions were absorbed and adapted into the Christian faith. It made sense that the already ingrained concept of new life being celebrated during springtime should become associated with Jesus conquering death and being reborn.
Eggs represent new life and rebirth, and it's thought that this ancient custom became a part of Easter celebrations. In the medieval period, eating eggs was forbidden during Lent (the 40 days before Easter) so on Easter Sunday, tucking into an egg was a real treat!
It is believed that the word “Easter” originated from the name of the pagan goddess, Eostre (or Ostara). Eostre was the Anglo-Saxon goddess symbolizing springtime, the hare and the egg. The festival of Eostre was celebrated on the vernal equinox, when there are equal periods of light and darkness.
