Here's our guide to Easter, including why we have eggs, who decides when it is and why it changes
Chocolate eggs and bunnies are a symbol of Easter, but of course there is so much more to it than that.
The Easter story is at the very heart of Christian calendar, with celebrations taking place around the world to mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
But the date changes every year and it can be difficult to keep track of all the changing dates.
Easter also means four days off and the perfect time to catch up with friends and family.
So here's a quick essential guide to Easter.
What are the Easter dates for this year?
Good Friday is on March 25. Easter Sunday is on March 27 and Easter Monday is on March 28.
Why is Easter in March in 2016?
The date of Easter Sunday changes each year according to the lunar calendar as it is celebrated following the first full moon that happens after the first day of spring. This year it falls on Sunday March 27.
It always falls between March 22 and April 25.
Who decides when Easter is?
The First Council of Nicea was a council of Christian bishops convened in Nicaea in Bithynia by the Roman Emperor Constantine I in AD 325.
They made decisions in an effort to attain a consensus on several Christian topics.
Based on the paschal full moon, it was decided by the bishops that Easter Day would fall on the next full moon after the spring equinox.
This was because Easter must fall on a Sunday as it was the day of Christ’s Resurrection.
What are the origins of Easter Sunday?
Easter is the celebration of the last week of Jesus’ life, his death and the Resurrection, and for Christians it also means the start of new life.
The Easter story is at the very heart of Christian calendar, with celebrations taking place around the world to mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
But the date changes every year and it can be difficult to keep track of all the changing dates.
Easter also means four days off and the perfect time to catch up with friends and family.
So here's a quick essential guide to Easter.
What are the Easter dates for this year?
Good Friday is on March 25. Easter Sunday is on March 27 and Easter Monday is on March 28.
Why is Easter in March in 2016?
The date of Easter Sunday changes each year according to the lunar calendar as it is celebrated following the first full moon that happens after the first day of spring. This year it falls on Sunday March 27.
It always falls between March 22 and April 25.
Who decides when Easter is?
The First Council of Nicea was a council of Christian bishops convened in Nicaea in Bithynia by the Roman Emperor Constantine I in AD 325.
They made decisions in an effort to attain a consensus on several Christian topics.
Based on the paschal full moon, it was decided by the bishops that Easter Day would fall on the next full moon after the spring equinox.
This was because Easter must fall on a Sunday as it was the day of Christ’s Resurrection.
What are the origins of Easter Sunday?
Easter is the celebration of the last week of Jesus’ life, his death and the Resurrection, and for Christians it also means the start of new life.
It is said to be the oldest Christian holiday which honours the resurrection of Jesus three days after His crucifixion.
It comes after the 40 days of Lent that sees many Christians forgoing something or giving up their favourite foods or vices in order to mimic Jesus’ sacrifice in the desert. Following Easter, there is the Easter season which lasts 50 days until Pentecost.
See also: Easter dinner recipes that you can make over the bank holiday weekend including your staple lamb roast
What’s the Easter bunny got to do with it?
Some sources say that the word Easter comes from Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon name of the goddess of spring. The goddess’ earthly symbol was the rabbit which was also known to signify fertility.
And with rabbits usually giving birth to big litters of babies, they became widely recognised as a symbol of new life, which is also synonymous with spring and Easter.
As to why the Easter bunny brings eggs, well it’s because they are also representative of new life.
Why do we have Easter eggs?
Today, many children and families associate Easter with Easter eggs. One source claims that eggs are linked with Easter as they are a symbol of fertility.
It is also thought that eggs are a symbol of new life, used as a symbol of Jesus' resurrection on Easter Sunday.
More: The beautiful Easter eggs inspired by some of the world's greatest artists
What about hot cross buns?
Hot cross buns are traditionally eaten on Good Friday to mark the end of Lent.
The cross on the top represents the crucifixion of Christ and the spices inside remind Christians of the spices put on his body.
Are supermarkets open?
They are, but at awkward times.
You should expect superstores to shut a little earlier on Good Friday, normal opening hours on Saturday and then the superstores to close on Easter Sunday.
If you need to pick anything up on Sunday then head to your local shop. Even Sainsbury's Local and the smaller Tesco stores will open, operating their usual hours in most cases.
Then on Monday shops will probably close a little earlier.
www.walesonline.co.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment