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The history of Easter proves that Easter is the oldest of the Christian holidays and is the most important event of the church during the year. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after he was put to death by crucifixion. Further, all of the feasts and the whole liturgical worshipping year are centered and arranged around this holiday.
Preceeded by a season of a 40-day period of fasting a repenting, called Lent, this culminates in the Holy Week. Although most people just celebrate the single Easter Day, this is followed by a 50-day Easter season, stretching from Easter to Pentecost.
The history of the naming of the holiday is uncertain. But it is thought to be derived from Estre, which is an Anglo-Saxon goddess of the spring season. In parts of Europe, such as France and Italy, it is celebrated as a seven-day feast. This celebration is also recognized in Spain, Scotland, Sweden and other countries.
Because the date is always different, the method to determine the date is complex. But simply put, it is celebrated by Western churches on the first Sunday after the first full moon, which is based on the 84-year paschal cycles which were established in the sixth century, and after the spring equinox. It is a complicated calculation, and Easter can end up being anywhere from March 22nd to April 25th of each year
During the 20th Century, there had been discussions about possibly agreeing on a worldwide consistent date for the Easter celebration. But no resolution has been made so far.
Share
the Easter
History with your
kids as a bedtime
story.
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