One of the principal holidays, or feasts, of Christianity, Easter marks the Resurrection of Jesus three days after his death by crucifixion. For many Christian churches, Easter is the joyful end to the Lenten (Lent) season of fasting and penitence.
The earliest recorded observance of Easter comes from the 2nd century, though it is likely that even the earliest Christians commemorated the Resurrection, which is an integral tenet of the faith. In 325 the Council of Nicaea decreed that Easter should be observed on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox (March 21).
Easter, therefore, can fall on any Sunday between March 22 and April 25.
Eastern Orthodox churches use a slightly different calculation based on the Julian calendar. As a result, the Orthodox Easter celebration usually occurs later than that of Roman Catholics and Protestants.
Traditions
Easter has many traditions, some deriving from folk customs.
Eating Roast Lamb on Easter Sunday – The custom of the Easter lamb appropriates both the appellation used for Jesus in Scripture (“behold the lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world,” John 1:29) and the lamb’s role as a sacrificial animal. Since the 12th century the Lenten fast has ended on Easter with meals blessed for the occasion.
Easter Eggs – The use of painted and decorated Easter eggs was first recorded in the 13th century. The church prohibited the eating of eggs during Holy Week, but chickens continued to lay eggs during that week, and the notion of specially identifying those as “Holy Week” eggs brought about their decoration. The egg itself became a symbol of the Resurrection. Just as Jesus rose from the tomb, the egg symbolizes new life emerging from the eggshell.
Hot Cross Buns – Traditionally eaten on Good Friday. The bun marks the end of Lent and different parts of the hot cross bun have a certain meaning, including the cross representing the crucifixion of Jesus, and the spices inside signifying the spices used to embalm him at his burial
The Easter Bunny / Rabbit – The custom of associating a rabbit or bunny with Easter arose in Protestant areas in Europe in the 17th century but did not become common until the 19th century. The Easter rabbit is said to lay the eggs as well as decorate and hide them. The animal that brings the Easter eggs vary in countries in Europe such as a fox and Switzerland has a Cuckoo!
Plus Congratulations!
THE WINNERS OF THE EGS WBD EASTER COMPETITION 2021 ARE…..
1st Finn Cochrane-Naidoo 9F
2nd Woody Willis 8S
3rd Jake Coles 8P
The following are highly commended:
Ramin Hasan 7U
Aayan Ali 7U
Eren Nalbantoglu 7R
WELL DONE AND CONGRATULATIONS!
Thank you all for your fantastic entries! It was certainly very difficult to decide on the winner of the EGS WBD EASTER EGG COMPETITION!
Best wishes and Happy Easter,
Miss Wertheimer
