Shomona+2

=__Easter __= = WHAT IS EASTER ? = = Easter is the celebration of Jesus Christ's rising from the dead after his crucifixion. It is usually celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon following the first day of Spring. This can be any Sunday between March 22 and April 25. It is the most sacred of all the Christian holidays or celebrations. His return from death is called the Resurrection. According to the scriptures, Jesus tomb was empty three days after His death, which is commemorated on Good Friday. His followers saw Him and talked to Him after this. Christians therefore believe that they too can receive new life after death. Easter is the celebration of this belief. = = = = ** HOW EASTER WAS CELEBRATED IN ANCIENT DAYS? A long time ago, people used to celebrate when Spring arrived. People used to believe that changes in seasons were guided by spirits or gods. The blooming of plants and flowers and animals coming out of their hibernation and the return of birds brought life back to the land. This new life in spring symbolizes the new life Christians gain because of Jesus's death on the cross and his resurrection or back to life again. ** In ancient Egypt, Easter was celebrated at the same time Jesus was crucified during the Jewish Passover. This was so for many years. However, in A.D. 325, the Roman Emperor Constantine convened the First Council of Nicacea (now called Turkey), and decided that Easter should be on a different day. This Council also determined that December 25th would henceforth celebrate the birth of Christ. They chose the Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox. Vernal means "spring" and equinox means "equal night". This special Sunday is the one 24-hour period in spring when both day and night last exactly twelve hours. This is how Easter is celebrated today. However, many Orthodox or Eastern Christians still wait until the time of the Jewish Passover and other traditions to celebrate Easter. = = = = NAMES OF EASTER = = Easter was called Pesach by early Christians. It is the Hebrew name for Passover. Today, the name for Easter in many cultures in Europe are similar to the word Pesah. For example : France-Paques = = Spain -Pascua = = Italy -Pasqua = = Albania -Pashke = = Greece -Pascha = = Norway -Paaske = = Holland -Pasen = = Sweden - Pask = = =