This time of the year Christians around the world are commemorating an important part of their calendar, the so called "Easter period", during which they remember the death and resurrection of their Messiah, Jesus Christ, who was crucified on the cross more than 2,000 years ago.
It is a period of deep reflection and prayer by all believers as they remember Christ's crucifixion and the full import of that singular act which is re-incarnated by Christians around the globe in remembrance of the ultimate sacrifice endured by the Lord to save mankind from its own sin.
"Easter" is preceded by Lent, a period which is devoted to fasting, abstinence and penitence in commemoration of the days Jesus Christ spent fasting in the wilderness. Devout Christians opt to fast during Lent and also offer tithe or appreciable amounts to the poor or to their respective churches to assist the under-privileged persons in their communities.
History, however, shows us for starters that after Christ's resurrection the wider Christian Church in today's Turkey and Europe was in total in disarray over when "Easter" should be observed.
In the early 2nd Century, there were some who celebrated it on the Jewish festival of Passover, on the 14th day of the moon. This had the habit of landing on random days of the week, which didn't seem suitably sacred. Apparently, Tuesdays just didn't cut it when it came to miracles... (in case you don't know, our days of the week are still named after pagan gods - Mona, Tiw, Woden, Thunor, Freya, Saturn, Sunne) Soon after, Syriac Christians suggested "Easter" should fall on the Sunday after Passover. In 325AD, the Council of Nicaea decided to enforce this worldwide... unfortunately, they had not counted on Britain, which, as it also does today, did not tow the European line.
The confusion reigned for another 70 years, with one famous Saxon victim being Queen Eanflaed who was forced to watch her hubby, King Osway, stuff his face at an "Easter" banquet while she was still fasting during Lent. It seems the King and Queen were on separate calendars - she Roman, and he Irish. The Roman calendar finally won out in 664AD at the Synod of Whitby. Today Whitby is mainly known for its excellent fish and chips, and a weird legend about Dracula.
What about all the trimmings most of us consider essential to celebrate "Easter" properly. Usually colored boiled eggs and also chocolate eggs and bunnies? In theory eggs have nothing to do with Jesus. He didn't have to climb out of one, like in that weird movie The Matrix. Yet, in the Greek Church it is said Mary Magdalene brought boiled eggs to the tomb of Jesus, to feed the other mourners, and when the tomb was found to be open the eggs miraculously turned blood red. A second story states Mary was proclaiming the resurrection to Pontius Pilate when the eggs he was going to eat also turned red, upon his refusal to believe her. These stories may sound weird today, but they carried a lot of weight that has lasted through history. The tradition of egg-painting, particularly in the color red, is still very common in Eastern and Central Europe - and there are major ceremonies where baskets of eggs are blessed by the priests.
Now what about the other popular "Easter" accessory - the Chocolate Easter bunny? How did we eventually end up with them? Oddly, this extraordinary sexual fertile animal was interpreted in ancient science as the exact opposite - who knows why, but it was thought that rabbits and hares were hermaphrodites and able to impregnate themselves. This gave them a slightly weird association with virginity and...the Virgin Mary, which the old time Christian Church quickly picked up on. Surprisingly for such rampant "humpers", hares and rabbits even became animal ciphers for the Virgin Mary in medieval Christian art.
Last but not least, and to make matters worse for those who associate the resurrection of Christ with the word "Easter". The word "Easter" is derived from Astarte, which is associated with the worship of Baal . This was also known as sun worship. Astarte was seen as Baal’s wife. Another name for Astarte was Ashtaroth. Bottom line, "Easter" is not a Christian word. It bears Chaldean origins and refers to their "queen of heaven". The word "Easter" can not be found or has not been used anywhere in the bible.
So, while you are enjoying your great "Easter breakfast" and wondering if eating those 12 boiled eggs could give you an upset stomach, maybe it would be worthwhile to settle down in an easy chair, pick up your bible, if you happen to have one and turn to 1 John 4:9-10.
Not a word about "Easter" in that passage, instead the passage will show you the unlimited and eternal expression of love for mankind by God.
Have a great Resurrection Day .
EU-Digest
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