Happy Easter 2020: Origin, History and Significance

Team bankersadda wishes you all a very Happy Easter. This year, on April 12th, Christians around the world are celebrating the festival of Easter. This is a festival which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter is usually celebrated on the first Sunday of a full moon day between March 21st and April 25th. It is also commonly known as Resurrection Day. 

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ORIGIN OF THE WORD EASTER:

No one knows the actual origin of the word “Easter.” However, the Venerable Bede, who was an eighth-century monk and scholar, had, on many occasions, advised that the word could have its roots in the Anglo-Saxon word Eostre or Eastre, which is the name of the Teutonic goddess of spring and fertility. 

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Furthermore, some scholars are of the opinion that the word comes from the Norse eostur, eastur or Ostara, which means the season of the growing sun or the season of recent birth.

HISTORY OF EASTER:

The story behind the celebration of Easter has its roots in the New Testament of the Bible. It tells how Jesus was arrested by the Roman authorities because of his claims of being the Son of God, and eventual crucifixion by Roman emperor Pontius Pilate. It is, however, his resurrection three days later, which marks the festival of Easter. The festival also marks the conclusion of “Passion of Christ,” which begins with a period of fasting for 40 days called Lent. The week before Easter is often regarded as the Holy Week, where the Holy Thursday is the celebration of Jesus’ famous last supper, followed by the crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday. 

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THEOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF EASTER:

According to the New Testament, the resurrection of Jesus, which is celebrated on Easter, is amongst the main principles and beliefs in Christianity. This resurrection established Jesus as the Son of God, thereby proving that God will justifiably judge the world and its deeds. Easter proves that anyone who follows Jesus is spiritually resurrected with him. This will also help that person receive eternal salvation, and thereby allow them to dwell in Heaven upon their death. 

Easter is also linked to Passover (the most sacred holiday in the Jewish religion), along with the Exodus from Egypt. It is also recorded in the Old Testament, through the Last Supper, sufferings as well as the crucifixion of Jesus Christ which preceded his resurrection. 

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CELEBRATION OF EASTER:

Easter is celebrated with joy and pomp amongst Christians around the world. Many churches across the globe begin the celebration of Easter in the late hours of Saturday. They do so by conducting a religious service known as the Easter Vigil. The traditional celebration of Easter includes churches which are dimly lit and prayers being sung in the praise of Jesus Christ. This is followed by an elaborate Sunday mass, with happy music and vigour. They also light candles everywhere, since lighted candles symbolise life and eternal light. The candles that are lit on Easter are of a special kind, known as the Christ candle or Paschal candle. 

People, on the other hand, celebrate it by participating in the Easter egg hunt. These eggs represent birth and fertility. The tradition also includes the Easter bunny, who delivers chocolate-filled or brightly painted eggs with sweets inside to kids on Easter morning. Easter eggs are also some of the most commonly exchanged gifts on this festival. 

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This also has a long history of Christianity. A lot of the ancient cultures have regarded eggs as a logo of life. Moreover, many cultures, such as Persians, Greeks and even Chinese, also give eggs as gifts during the spring festivals as a way to celebrate life around them.  

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