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EASTER
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Some Easter Tidbits
The Origins of Easter Celebrations
Some Easter Tidbits Easter derives its name from Eostre, an Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring. A month corresponding to April had been
named "Eostremonat," or Eostre's month, leading to "Easter" becoming applied to the Christian holiday
that usually took place within it.
In Medieval Europe, eggs were forbidden during Lent. Eggs laid during
that time were often boiled or otherwise preserved. Eggs were thus a mainstay of Easter meals, and a prized Easter gift for
children and servants.
Hares and rabbits have long been symbols of fertility. The inclusion of the hare into Easter
customs appears to have originated in Germany, where tales were told of an "Easterhare" who laid eggs for children
to find. German immigrants to America -- particularly Pennsylvania -- brought the tradition with them and spread it to a wider
public. They also baked cakes for Easter in the shape of hares, and may have pioneered the practice of making chocolate bunnies
and eggs.
Hot cross
buns were among the earliest Easter treats, made by European monks and given to the poor during Lent. Pretzels
were originally associated with Easter. The twists of a pretzel were thought to resemble arms crossed in prayer.
Around 1885, Russian jeweler Peter Carl Faberge' took the decoration of eggs to new heights. He volunteered
to create a jewelry egg for Czar Alexander III to give his wife, Marie. Fabergé kept the egg a secret, but delighted
the royal family with an ordinary looking "egg," but with tiny surprises made of gold, enamel, and precious gems
inside.
After their baptisms, early Christians wore white robes all through Easter week to indicate their new lives.
Those had already been baptized wore new clothes instead to symbolize their sharing a new life with Christ. In Medieval Europe, churchgoers
would take a walk after Easter Mass, led by a crucifix or the Easter candle. Today these walks endure as Easter
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How is it determined which date Easter Sunday will fall on
each year?
Easter falls on the first Sunday subsequent to the first full moon after the vernal equinox (March
21). Thus, it can occur as early as March 22 and as late as April 25. (If the full moon after the equinox falls on Sunday,
Easter follows a week later.) Is
Easter a pagan or Christian celebration?
Like many of our most cherished holidays, a little bit of both. The
word Easter is derived from Eostre (also known as Ostara), an ancient Anglo-Saxon Goddess. She symbolized the rebirth of the
day at dawn and the rebirth of life in the spring. The arrival of spring was celebrated all over the world long before the
religious meaning became associated with Easter. As Christianity grew and spread throughout the world, it was common practice
to adopt, modify, convert or take over existing non-Christian festivals, sacred locations and even names, and assimilate them
into the Christian theology. Since the Resurrection was already celebrated in the spring, it was merged with the existing
pagan celebration and thus were the roots of our modern Easter celebration born.
The Origins of Easter Celebrations
Held
on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25
The
meaning of many different customs observed during Easter Sunday have been buried with time. Their origins lie in pre-Christian
religions and Christianity. All in some way or another are a "salute to spring," marking re-birth. The white Easter
lily has come to capture the glory of the holiday. The word "Easter" is named after Eastre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess
of spring. A festival was held in her honor every year at the vernal equinox. People celebrate the holiday according to their beliefs and their religious denominations. Christians
commemorate Good Friday as the day that Jesus Christ died and Easter Sunday as the day that He was resurrected. Protestant
settlers brought the custom of a sunrise service, a religious gathering at dawn, to the United States. Today on Easter Sunday children wake up to find that the Easter
Bunny has left them baskets of candy. He has also hidden the eggs that they decorated earlier that week. Children hunt for
the eggs all around the house. Neighborhoods and organizations hold Easter egg hunts, and the child who finds the most eggs
wins a prize. The Easter Bunny is a rabbit-spirit.
Long ago, he was called the" Easter Hare." Hares and rabbits have frequent multiple births so they became a symbol
of fertility. The custom of an Easter egg hunt began because children believed that hares laid eggs in the grass. The Romans
believed that "All life comes from an egg." Christians consider eggs to be "the seed of life" and so they
are symbolic of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Why
we dye, or color, and decorate eggs is not certain. In ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome and Persia eggs were dyed for spring festivals.
In medieval Europe, beautifully decorated eggs were given as gifts.
Egg Rolling
In England, Germany and some other countries, children rolled eggs
down hills on Easter morning, a game which has been connected to the rolling away of the rock from Jesus Christ's tomb
when he was resurrected. British settlers brought this custom to the New World. In the United States in the early nineteenth century, Dolly Madison, the wife of the fourth American
President, organized an egg roll in Washington, D.C. She had been told that Egyptian children used to roll eggs against the
pyramids so she invited the children of Washington to roll hard-boiled eggs down the hilly lawn of the new Capitol building.
The custom continued, except for the years during the Civil War. In 1880, the First Lady invited children to the White House
for the Egg Roll because officials had complained that they were ruining the Capitol lawn. It has been held there ever since
then, only canceled during times of war. The event has grown, and today Easter Monday is the only day of the year when tourists
are allowed to wander over the White House lawn. The wife of the President sponsors it for the children of the entire country.
The egg rolling event is open to children twelve years old and under. Adults are allowed only when accompanied by children.
Traditionally, many celebrants bought new clothes
for Easter which they wore to church. After church services, everyone went for a walk around the town. This led to the American
custom of Easter parades all over the country. Perhaps the most famous is along Fifth Avenue in New York City. Good Friday is a holiday in 16 states and many schools and businesses
throughout the U.S. are closed on this Friday.
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