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that a final date would be established based on the Roman calendar. “The feast of the Resurrection was thenceforth required to be celebrated everywhere on a Sunday, and never on the day of the Jewish passover, but always after the fourteenth of Nisan, on the Sunday after the first vernal full moon. The leading motive for this regulation was opposition to Judaism, which had dishonored the passover by the crucifixion of the Lord.”11
In Europe, spring celebrations practiced by the Anglo-Saxons were devoted to the goddess of fertility and the spring, “Eostre,” during the vernal equinox. The word “Easter” is derived from her name.
The integration of the pagan name “Easter” to the Christian celebration is most likely the work of 2nd century Christian missionaries to Europe. They quickly noticed the advantage of celebrating their Christian holiday on a pagan spring festival day, eventually helping to move the pagans away from their paganism and towards Christian practices.
Today, the name “Easter” is virtually inseparatable from the Christian holy day exercises.
EASTER BUNNY – Rabbits have been symbols of fertility for a very long time and are connected with the spring fertility celebrations.
The transition from a very productive rabbit to a rabbit that lays eggs appears to have happened in Germany but how this transition happened is unclear. |
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“Eighteenth-century German settlers brought ‘Oschter Haws’…to America, where Pennsylvania Dutch settlers prepared nests for him in the garden or barn. On Easter Eve, the rabbit laid his colored eggs in the nests as payment. In Germany, old Oschter lays red eggs on Maundy Thursday.”12
Today, telling stories of the Easter bunny and displaying bunny decorations are popular. However, these practices have absolutely no significance to the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection.
EASTER EGGS – Eggs have been viewed as symbols of new life and fertility. Such ancient societies as the Egyptians, Babylonians, Persians and Romans all used eggs during their springtime celebrations.
In Medieval Europe during the Lenten season all forms of meat, eggs and dairy products were forbidden. To preserve the eggs laid during that time, they were boiled. With Easter ending the fasting of Lent, the eggs would be gladly eaten. Eggs were thus considered a wonderful treat at Easter meals.
Today, the practice of hiding Easter eggs is popular. However, this practice has absolutely no significance to the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection.
ASCENSION DAY (Holy Thursday) – This holiday is celebrated on the fortieth day after Easter. It commemorates Jesus being taken up into Heaven (Acts 1:9-10). |
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