* Irene's Country Corner * - Easter Story

 

 

 

 Easter is an annual Christian feast that celebrates Jesus Christ's resurection after his crucifixion.

 

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It is always celebrated on a Sunday and its date varies between March 22 and April 25, thus called a movable feast.

Easter Sunday is calculated in relation to the first full moon after March, 21 equinox. The Eastern Orthodox churches, however, follow the Julian rather than the Gregorian calendar, so their celebration usually happens some weeks later than the Western Easter. As in the north hemisphere Easter normally happens in the beginning of Spring, it's traditionally associated to the idea of renovation and mix pagan and Christian traditions.

According to ancient traditions its related to the Jewish Easter (Pessach) which commemorates Israel's deliverance from the bondage of Egypt.

The English name Easter derives from the name of the Spring pagan Anglo-Saxon goddess Eostre, goddess of Spring and fertility, to whom was dedicated a month corresponding to April. Her festival was celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox.

Traditions associated with the festival survive in the Easter rabbit, as a symbol of fertility, and in colored Easter eggs, originally painted with bright colors representing the sunlight of Spring. Easter traditions include egg exchanges, symbolizing a new life.

Connected with the observance of Easter is the Lent, a 40-day penitential season beginning on Ash Wednesday and concluding at midnight on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday.

© Maryvel. Not for download. Please, visit Heartfelt Graphics if you like this graphic.

The Holy Week, begins on Palm Sunday (March , 24 in 2002) and extends until the next Saturday, called Holy Saturday (March, 30 in 2002). The Friday before the Holy Saturday is called Good Friday, the day of the crucifixion (March, 29 in 2002). The Octave of Easter, extends from Easter Sunday (March, 31 in 2002) through the following Sunday. Easter Sunday is May, 5 in 2002 to the Eastern Orthodox churches.

© Mary. Not for download. Please, visit Mary's Little Lamb if you like this graphic.

- Good Friday -

Jesus was nailed to a cross and there he died.
He was buried in a cave with a large stone at the entrance.

Good Friday is the Christian celebration in memory of the death of Jesus Christ on the Friday that preceded the Easter Sunday. In the 4th century Good Friday became a separate commemoration of the death of Christ, and Easter was thereafter devoted exclusively to the resurrection. Originally, no liturgy was held on that day. In the 4th century a procession was staged from Gethsemane to the sanctuary of the cross in Jerusalem, followed by readings about the passion, and this was the beginning of the Good Friday observance as it is now known today.

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- The Easter Sunday -

On the third day after the crucifixion and death of Jesus, he resurected.

 © Donna. Not available for download. Please, visit Honey Brook Graphics if you like this graphic.

"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that 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."

1 Corinthians 15:3,4 

 

Easter Sunday is a day devoted to family reunions. It's a day to gather family for a especial lunch, Easter egg hunts and go to church.

Happy Easter !

© Donna. Not available for download. Please, visit Honey Brook Graphics if you like this graphic.

 

© Maryvel. Not for download. Please, visit Heartfelt Graphics if you like this graphic.

| Back to the Easter Menu |

This page was created on: March 4th 2001.
Last updated on: March 5th 2005.

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I got this information at
Britannica and Encarta.
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