The Origin of Easter
Easter's origins trace back to the time of Jesus Christ's crucifixion and resurrection, which, according to Christian belief, occurred around 2,000 years ago in Jerusalem. The Bible states that Jesus was crucified on Good Friday and resurrected on the third day, which is now known as Easter Sunday. This event is considered the cornerstone of Christian theology and is seen as a victory over death and sin.
The name "Easter" is believed to be derived from the Old English word ēastre, which was the name of a pagan festival celebrating spring and renewal. As Christianity spread through Europe, the early church adapted certain aspects of this spring festival to coincide with the celebration of Christ's resurrection, creating the Easter holiday.
When is Easter Celebrated?
Easter is not celebrated on the same date every year. The date varies because it is based on the lunar calendar, specifically the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox (the first day of spring). This means that Easter can fall between March 22 and April 25.
The Council of Nicaea, in AD 325, established the method for determining the date of Easter. Before this decision, Christians celebrated Easter on different days in various regions. The Nicaean rule created a standardized way of calculating the date, ensuring unity across the Christian world. shutdown123