What is the etymology of the word Easter?

Old English Easterdæg, from Eastre (Northumbrian Eostre ), from Proto-Germanic *austron-, “dawn,” also the name of a goddess of fertility and spring, perhaps originally of sunrise, whose feast was celebrated at the spring equinox, from *aust- “east, toward the sunrise” (compare east ), from PIE root *aus- (1) “to shine,” especially of the dawn.

What is the Catholic Easter?

The most important day in the Catholic liturgical calendar, Easter Sunday is the central feast of the Christian faith. Learn more about Catholic Easter. The most important day in the Catholic liturgical calendar, Easter Sunday is the central feast of the Christian faith. Learn more about Catholic Easter. Menu Home

What is the true meaning of Easter Sunday?

Easter is not only the greatest Christian feast; Easter Sunday symbolizes the fulfillment of our faith as Christians. Through His Death, Christ destroyed our bondage to sin; through His Resurrection, He brought us the promise of new life, both in Heaven and on earth.

What is the Easter season?

Just as Easter is the most important Christian holiday, so, too, the Easter season is the longest of the special liturgical seasons of the Church. It extends all the way to Pentecost Sunday , the 50th day after Easter, and encompasses such major feasts as Divine Mercy Sunday and Ascension .

What is Easter and why is it important?

The day is also called Resurrection Sunday. The word Easter is related to the word east, which naturally points us to the sunrise, to new days and new beginnings. For some, Easter is bereft of all but the secular meaning.

Is the celebration of Easter based on the Bible?

The celebration of Easter is not based on the Bible. If you look into its history, though, you will see the true meaning of Easter—it is a tradition based on ancient fertility rites. Consider the following.

What is the origin of the Easter Bunny?

Easter bunny is attested by 1904 in children’s lessons; Easter rabbit is by 1888; the paganish customs of Easter seem to have grown popular c. 1900; before that they were limited to German immigrants. If the children have no garden, they make nests in the wood-shed, barn, or house.

Why is Easter on the 20th of March?

Similar was the case with Easter, which falls in close proximity to another key point in the solar year: the vernal equinox (around March 20), when there are equal periods of light and darkness. For those in northern latitudes, the coming of spring is often met with excitement, as it means an end to the cold days of winter.

What do the children do on Easter Sunday?

On Easter Sunday morning they whistle for the rabbit, and the children imagine that they see him jump the fence. After church, on Easter Sunday morning, they hunt the eggs, and in the afternoon the boys go out in the meadows and crack eggs or play with them like marbles.

What is the origin of Easter and Passover?

The term Easter, commemorating the Resurrection of Christ, comes from the Old English ēaster or ēastre, a festival of spring. The Greek and Latin Pascha comes from the Hebrew Pesaḥ, “Passover.” The earliest Christians celebrated the Lord’s Passover at the same time as the….

What is Easter and why do we celebrate it?

In commemorating the Resurrection of Jesus, Easter also celebrates the defeat of death and the hope of salvation. Christian tradition holds that the sins of humanity were paid for by the death of Jesus and that his Resurrection represents the anticipation believers can have in their own resurrection.

How old is the Easter Bunny and Easter egg?

Easter egg is attested by 1825, earlier pace egg (1610s). Easter bunny is attested by 1904 in children’s lessons; Easter rabbit is by 1888; the paganish customs of Easter seem to have grown popular c. 1900; before that they were limited to German immigrants.