Three mega days in Christianity, Christmas, the birth of Christ; Good Friday, the crucifixion of Christ; Easter, the resurrection of Christ.
Many Christians, celebrate Easter with marzipan, brightly painted shelled hard-boiled eggs, and chocolate-filled eggs, some in the shape of adorable “Easter” bunnies and beautiful flowers and Easter lilies, and there is a joy and exuberance all around in the Spring-Summer air, the celebration has some parts inculcated from the old Anglo-Saxon, Greek, and Roman cultures.
In many places, bakeries are making hot cross buns, sharing delicacies, and exchanging gifts. People go to church to celebrate Jesus Christ’s resurrection as Easter Sunday marks the victory of good over evil, rebirth, and that truth shall prevail.
The Sequence of Events Leading to Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday observes the resurrection of Jesus Christ after being crucified and signifies an empty tomb. According to the New Testament, Jesus was sentenced to death by crucifixion because the Jewish leaders were upset with Him as Christ drew thousands of crowds due to His power of miraculous healing. They were waiting for a way to trap Him and when Christ claimed He was the ‘Son of God”, they used it as a point to crucify Him for blasphemy.
One of Jesus Christ’s twelve disciples, Judas, gave Christ a kiss, signaling to the Roman soldiers that He was the Christ. The soldiers were sent by Jewish priests and leaders. Christ said that he wouldn’t rebel against the Jews or protest his arrest. He even ordered Peter, his disciple who struck out his sword t and cut the soldier’s ear to put back his sword, and Christ, a miraculous healer, healed his ear instantly.
After His arrest, He was put on trial by the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish council of law. Having been found guilty of religious blasphemy, Jesus Christ was taken to Pontius Pilate, who gave in to the crowd’s demand to crucify Christ.
He Died A Slow Horrific Painful Death
The crucifixion was invented by the Persians in 300 BC, and perfected by the Romans in 100 BC. It was considered the most painful death ever invented by man where we get our term “excruciating” and reserved primarily for the most vicious of male criminals. Christ even refused the anesthetic wine which was offered to Him by the Roman soldiers because of His promise in Matthew 26: 29, “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”
He was stripped naked and His clothing divided by the Roman guards. This was in fulfillment of Psalm 22:18, “They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots.”
After he died, His body was brought down from the Cross, wrapped in linen, and placed in a tomb, owned by Joseph of Arimathea. It was then sealed by a massive stone. This day is marked as Good Friday.
Three Days Later The Angels Rolled Back the Tomb Stone
It is believed that after three days angels rolled the stone and Jesus Christ was resurrected from the grave and visited his disciples. This day is celebrated annually as Easter Sunday. Since Christ rose from the grave, it is also known as Resurrection Sunday.
Easter Rituals and significance
The Lunar calendar of the Church determines the Easter date every year, which falls on the Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon. However, several countries, like Greece, with Eastern Orthodox Church continue to predict the Easter date based on the Julian calendar.
Earlier in the West, Christ’s resurrection was celebrated on the first day of the week— Sunday. Since then, Easter has been celebrated on the first Sunday after the 14th day of the Nisan month. Easter Sunday also marks the end of the ‘Passion of Christ,’ which is a 40-day fasting period called Lent. The Sunday before Easter is called Palm Sunday and marks the arrival of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem.
Easter week, known as the ‘Holy Week’, also includes other significant days like Maundy Thursday— the day Christ had the Last Supper with his disciples before the crucifixion. The Saturday after the Good Friday is also considered as ‘Holy Saturday’ by many and people attend church services called the Easter Vigil.
Easter is closely associated with the Jewish holiday of Passover, which is celebrated around the same time as well.
Out of mixed old traditions from Greek and Roman cultures, Spring and Summer are merged into the symbolism of the Easter celebration illustrating fruitfulness, rebirth, and new beginnings. The word ‘Easter’ is also said to have been derived from the Anglo-Saxon Goddess of spring and fertility, Eostre.
Families celebrate Easter Sunday with their own traditions and customs but the basic rituals are almost the same. As a precursor to Christmas, it gives people an opportunity to spend quality time together and enjoy the holidays.
Special delicacies like carrot cake, hot cross buns, sweetbreads, eggs, ham, lamb, marzipan, and spring peas make Easter Sunday a robust experience along with the famous chocolate-filled ‘Easter egg.’
It is believed that the tradition of having the Easter egg probably began in ancient times when the Church did not allow Christians to have eggs during the Holy Week. However, today the exchange of Easter eggs has new dimensions. Children are given delicious and brightly colored eggs filled with sweets and marzipan and chocolate Easter bunnies on Sunday morning.
The making of decorated eggs was first recorded in the 13th century. As per the Orthodox tradition, these eggs are painted red to symbolize Christ’s blood.
To make things more delightful and lively, events like Easter egg hunts, decorating the Easter eggs, egg rolling and many more are organized.
It is interesting to note that Protestant European areas ushered in the Easter bunny tradition. Though it started in the 17th century, it wasn’t popular until the 19th century. According to legends, Easter rabbits are believed to lay the eggs and decorate them secretly. In the US, these Easter bunnies are believed to fill children’s baskets with toys and candies.
Easter is a time of great rejoicing and happiness. Wishing everyone a wonderful blessed Easter and a happy year ahead!
Rita
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