Easter is considered one of the most important holidays of the year for Christians. This holiday is meant to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus after being crucified.
Easter is the anniversary of the death and resurrection of the prophet (Jesus) of all Christians. This prophet is said by the religious scriptures to be the son of the supreme being who created all things. And his tragic death was a payment for the sins of mankind. At the same time, it also celebrates the new covenant between mankind and the supreme being.
Easter is considered one of the most important holidays of the year for Christians (Catholics, Orthodox, Protestants, Anglicans). In the olden days people called the spring festival (Frühlingsfest / spring festival) or “Ostarum” the Germans called “Ostara” and the word “Ostern / Easter” was derived from the word “Ost / East” referring to the east of spring. the sun is coming up.
The Jews call this holiday “Paschafest” The Egyptians (Ägypter) call it “Osterlamm/ paschal lamb)” also on the first full moon day of spring they kill sheep to celebrate their liberation from oppression, freedom from the body. slave part.
Easter usually takes place on any Sunday between the end of March and the beginning of April to commemorate the event that Jesus rose from the dead after being crucified. Easter does not have a fixed date, but people usually count Easter to take place on the first Sunday after the first full moon or after the spring equinox. Therefore, Easter is also considered as a spring festival, celebrating the change of seasons with many brilliant colors.
Easter is central to faith in Christianity. Christians believe that Jesus died on the cross but then, from the dead, rose again and ascended to Heaven in triumph. Because Jesus overcame death and resurrection, Christians believe that only He has the power to give them eternal life. And that belief is something that Christians say every year at Easter, as well as every week on Sunday.
Easter is also a festival of hope because it is time for spring to return to all species. The Creator is so wonderful, the tree branches are bare during the cold winter, but after only a warm sunny day brought by Spring, the baby buds, or the young leaves, have been tender on the branches.
What do people usually do at Easter?
On this day, people often give each other colorful decorated eggs, rabbits or slices of iconic Jambon for this holiday.
Colorful decorated Easter eggs.
Eggs are the oldest symbol of Easter, symbolizing fertility. On this occasion, people often give each other colorful decorated eggs, or made of chocolate, plaster or even wool, very eye-catching, decorated by their own hands to replace wishes.
Westerners believe that this Earth was originally hatched from a giant egg. In the Appalachian Mountains, ancient healers used to use a ripe egg, rotated on the belly of a pregnant mother, thereby predicting the future fertility of the child.
The role of the cultural symbol of eggs in life is increasingly important. The custom of exchanging eggs was also present in many major civilizations.
Archaeological studies have proven that the ancient Egyptians and Sumerians had a custom of decorating eggs as gifts from at least 5,000 years ago. Perhaps for these reasons, eggs are recognized as an indispensable symbol of Easter – the day that celebrates the rebirth of Jesus.
Rabbit is a symbol of abundant and strong vitality.
In addition to the symbol of fertility, the rabbit is also a symbol of abundant and strong vitality. In particular, the bunny is associated with the legend of Ostara, aka Easter . The name of this spring goddess is used to give the name of Easter.
According to legend, there was a time when the goddess brought spring to Earth late, causing all species to suffer the cold, including a dying bird with frozen wings. Out of sympathy, Ostara converted the bird into a pet rabbit, granting it the ability to lay eggs and the ability to run fast. With this ability, the goddess wants the rabbit to take care of all the work of giving gifts to children when spring comes.
However, later on, the magic rabbit accidentally angered Ostara. It was thrown into the sky by the god and turned into the constellation Lepus. A year, rabbits are only allowed to come down to earth once in the spring to give lovely eggs to the people on earth.
Since then, the image of rabbits carrying eggs has become a special feature of Western Easter.
The image of the Easter candle gives people light and warmth, guides us out of darkness and is a shining light to find the right things and peace.
On the body of the candle, there are 5 nail marks (representing the 5 wounds of Jesus), above the letter alpha and below the letter omega with the first and last meaning of Greek, symbolizing Jesus. is “the beginning and the end”.
Jambon is a traditional dish on the table every Easter.
Traditional ham has never been absent from the tables of Christians around the world at Easter. For them, pork is considered God’s food. If the first full moon of autumn is the best time to salt pork reserves, spring is when Westerners use this stock. Therefore, ham becomes a traditional dish on the table every Easter.
It is believed that wearing new clothes during Easter will bring good luck for the rest of the year. According to the concept, new clothes represent renewal and lucky beginnings – important elements of each Easter every year.
For Catholics, Easter also represents a belief in rebirth, hoping for good things. That is also the message that this holiday is conveying to people all over the world.
The Germans often used fresh twigs, hanging eggshells, colorful paints and schocolat rabbits for children, and common flowers such as Osterglocken/daffodil; Tulpen/Tulip Diamond Output; Wind believer Hyazinthen/hyacinth; Marigold Gaenebluemchen/ dasiy; Dandelion Loewenzahn/ dandetion; Hahnenfuss/ buttercup.
Usually Easter will take place in March or April every year (counted as the Sunday between March 22 and April 25).
Easter songs are also an important part of this special holiday. The lyrics and melody of the song will express joy and joy. Express gratitude, wish for a positive and lucky life.
The week before Easter, called Holy Week, runs from Palm Sunday (or Passion Sunday) to the end of Holy Saturday (or Passover Vigil). This week, Christian churches commemorate the Passion of Jesus, celebrating the miracles that Jesus accomplished in his last days on earth. For Christians, every act of service this week speaks to an attitude of sorrow, but with gratitude that God made himself human to suffer and die for sinful humanity.
In many Western countries , Easter includes Sunday and chewing is an official holiday: In Europe like Germany, Good Friday is also an official holiday, on this day, places are happy. Playhouses, theaters, and shops are closed to commemorate the Passion of Jesus.
Many Christians make pilgrimages to the Via Dolorpsa in Jerusalem’s Old City to revisit the path of passion on which Jesus carried the holy girl to Calvary.
In Vietnam , in parishes with a large number of parishioners who are originally from the North, there are often rituals to contemplate the 15 passions of the Lord. In addition, many parishes re-enact the passion of the Lord. On Good Friday there is also the rite of marriage of the Lord.
On Easter Sunday, popes usually bless the Urbi et Orbi from the sanctum of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Easter 2023 is Sunday, April 9, 2023.