Easter

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EASTER
A joyous festival and Christian holiday that is celebrated all over the world acknowledge the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the death that has occurred on the third day after his burial due to Roman crucifixion (The New Testament).According to it, Easter is the fulfilled prophecy of the Messiah (a Holy Man) who would be persecuted, die for people’s sins and will rise on the third day.
THE BEGINNING AND OCCURENCE
Easter, known as Pascha (Latin) and Ooster (Dutch) .The word Pascha denoted the Jewish festival named Passover. The word Easter derived from the eostre or eostral, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility. The earliest recorded observance of an Easter celebration comes from 2nd century perhaps the resurrection of Jesus probably occurred much earlier.
Easter and the related celebrations (known as Moveable feasts) do not fall on a fix date. It is determined on lunisolar calendar.
The Western Christianity follows the Gregorian calendar according to which Easter always falls on Sunday (between 22nd March and 25th April) 7 days after the full moon. The Eastern Christianity follows the Julian calendar calculation due to which the Easter falls on Sunday (between 4th April and 8th May).
IMPORTANCE, CUSTOM AND CELEBERATION
Eater is the foundation of the Christian faith, thus holds a very significant and important date within Christianity. Easter is the culmination of the Passion of Jesus preceded by Lent (40 days period of fasting prayer and penance) and ends with the Holy Week that include,
Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday)-Celebration of Jesus ‘last supper with his disciples.
Good Friday-Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and death is observed.
Easter Sunday
In western Christianity, Eastertide or Easter season, begins on Easter Sunday and ends on 50th day (lasts for 7 weeks) known as Pentecost Sunday. IIn Eastern Christianity, it begins on pascha and split ends with launch of 40th day (the buffet of the Ascension).
Easter customs adapt entirely over the globe which includes Paschal Greeting, Clipping the house of worship and decorating the Easter eggs. Pascal Greeting (also known as Easter Acclamation) is a custom followed by Eastern and Oriental Orthodox, Eastern and Latin Catholic and Anglican Christians. Clipping the Church is an ancient custom held in England on Easter Monday. Easter eggs (also called Paschal Eggs) are the decorated eggs that symbolized fertility and rebirth. It also symbolizes the empty tomb of Jesus from which the Jesus resurrected. The Easter lily (symbol of the resurrection of Jesus) is used in decorating the chancel areas of churches on this day and for the rest of Eastertide.
Along with these many other customs have been becoming the part of Easter celebrations. These new customs are observed by both Christians and non-Christians. These customs include egg hunting, the Easter Bunny and Easter parades.
An egg hunt is an Eastertide game in which decorated eggs (Easter eggs) are hidden and participants hunt for them. The eggs can be real hard boiled eggs (decorated, dyed or painted), foil-wrapped egg shaped chocolates of different sizes or artificial eggs (filled with chocolate and candies). This game know how to be played mutually inside and outdoor. The children collect these eggs in a basket.
The Easter bunny is also the symbol of Easter just like Easter eggs and lilies. It is also called the Easter Rabbit or Easter Hare and is depicted as a rabbit that brings the Easter eggs, candies or chocolates and toys in his basket. The Easter bunny delivers these candies and chocolate eggs to children on Easter Sunday morning.
The Easter parade is an informal unorganized event, with or without religious significance. It is a cultural event that includes a festive strolling procession on Easter Sunday held by the Americans.
EASTER FOOD

Though the food traditions are vary regionally but preparing, coloring and decorating Easter eggs is one of the popular traditions. The Easter food also holds a very significance during the celebrations and includes hot cross buns, boiled eggs, roast lamb, Simnel cake and Easter biscuits. A Hot Cross Bun is a spiced tea cake and traditionally served on Good Friday. Roast lamb (main dish at Jewish Passover) is the traditional meat for the main meal on Easter day.

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