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.
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.
The English term may derive from the Anglo-Saxon goddess name Ēostre; Easter is linked to the Jewish Passover by its name (Hebrew: פֶּסַח pesach, Aramaic: פָּסחָא pascha are the basis of the term Pascha), by its origin (according to the synoptic Gospels, both the crucifixion and the resurrection took place during the ...
Easter is an important Christian festival - it's when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Bible says that Christ died on a cross on a day called Good Friday. According to the Bible, Jesus was then resurrected and came back to life on Easter Sunday.
Christmas is celebrated to remember the birth of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the Son of God. The name 'Christmas' comes from the Mass of Christ (or Jesus). A Mass service (which is sometimes called Communion or Eucharist) is where Christians remember that Jesus died for us and then came back to life.
The date of the birth of Jesus is not stated in the gospels or in any historical sources and the evidence is too incomplete to allow for consistent dating. However, most biblical scholars and ancient historians believe that his birth date is around 6 to 4 BC.
The early Church may have chosen 25 December for Christmas because it was also the date of the Jewish feast of Chanukkah, a rite symbolic of Jesus' birth and the concept of God 'dwelling in a human body'. It fell in the Hebrew month of Kislev.
Some suggest that its origins date back to the late 16th century, when the Protestant reformer Martin Luther organised egg hunts for his congregation. The men would hide the eggs for the women and children to find. This was a nod to the story of the resurrection, in which the empty tomb was discovered by women.
The egg itself became a symbol of the Resurrection. Just as Jesus rose from the tomb, the egg symbolized new life emerging from the eggshell. In the Orthodox tradition, eggs are painted red to symbolize the blood that Jesus shed on the cross. The egg-coloring tradition has continued even in modern secular nations.
Christmas and Easter are the two most widely celebrated holidays on the Christian calendar. Yet as we have examined regarding Christmas, there is no mention of Easter in the New Testament, but some strikingly apt descriptions in the Hebrew Bible.
Easter actually originated as an ancient pagan celebration of the spring equinox. In Christianity, the day was dedicated to observing the resurrection of Jesus Christ, celebrated around the time of the Jewish Passover.
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.
Easter means that all our sins are forgiven, the price has been paid, and we are made right with God. Easter also reminds us that Jesus conquered our greatest enemy — death. Easter is also significant because of the celebration of Jesus Christ's resurrection on the third day after his crucifixion.
This Sunday is Easter, a day when Christians all over the world will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The death and resurrection of Jesus happened more than 2,000 years ago and is recorded in God's Word, the Bible. The Easter story is weaved throughout the New Testament.
He was born of a Jewish mother, in Galilee, a Jewish part of the world. All of his friends, associates, colleagues, disciples, all of them were Jews. He regularly worshipped in Jewish communal worship, what we call synagogues. He preached from Jewish text, from the Bible.
This part of the research guide will help you understand the difference between BC/AD and BCE/CE. BC = Before Christ. AD = Anno Domini. BCE = Before Common Era. CE = Common Era.
Most Christian historians believe Mary was between 15 and 16 years old when Jesus was born. It's vital to remember these ages fit within ancient Israel's cultural norms. Young motherhood was prevalent, with girls marrying and starting families early.
Hares are indigenous to Britain and were sacred animals in pre-Christian times, whereas the rabbit was introduced into this country by the Normans. Both are prolific reproducers and thus are associated with the birth and renewal of springtime, the season in which Easter falls.
The feast commemorates Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in each of the four canonical Gospels. Its name originates from the palm branches waved by the crowd to greet and honor Jesus Christ as he entered the city.
Although Jesus Christ's death was cruel and unjust, it was essential. Good Friday is called “good” because through His suffering, Jesus atoned for the sins of all humankind.
Who wrote the Bible? Its books have no bylines. Tradition long identified Moses as the author of the Pentateuch, with Ezra as editor. Ancient readers also suggested that David wrote the psalms and Solomon wrote Proverbs and Qohelet.
All Saints' Day focuses on celebrating martyrs and saints who sacrificed their lives for the Christian faith. Later, Pope Gregory III moved the celebration to the fall season to coincide with Samhain. Over the years, All Saints' Day or All-Hallows Day continued its evolution into the modern celebration of Halloween.
