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EASTER, THE HOLIEST DAY IN CHRISTIANITY

Easter is the celebration of Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead. It is considered the holiest day of the Christian calendar and marks the fulfillment of the biblical promise to Abraham—that from his line, the Messiah would come, and through Him, all nations (people) of the world would be blessed.

The Bible tells of Jesus’ friends discovering that He had risen from the dead at dawn on the third day after His crucifixion (known as Good Friday). Christians traditionally celebrate this renewal of life and the forgiveness of sin with colored Easter eggs. Legends say these eggs are brought and hidden by a rabbit. Rabbits are the ancient symbol of spring and renewal. However, the Easter eggs and the Easter bunny are not a part of the Bible. Each is symbolism. Eggs and bunnies remind people of new life granted to them through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

The early Christian church celebrated Easter at different times. In 325 AD, the Council of Nicaea decided that the holiday would be the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring, meaning non-Orthodox Easter would always be sometime between March 22 and April 25. Orthodox Christians follow a different calendar, celebrating Easter a week or two later in the year. Easter marks the end of Passiontide.

PASSIONTIDE

Passiontide, observed over a fortnight, is the holiest period in the Christian liturgical year that focuses on Jesus Christ's passion (suffering and death). It begins on the fifth Sunday of Lent, Passion Sunday, and concludes on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday. This period encompasses the final two weeks of Lent, including Holy Week, the last week of Passiontide, and one of the most sacred times of the Christian calendar.

During Passiontide, the mood of the liturgical celebrations becomes more somber and reflective, emphasizing the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus. This shift is reflected in various ways across different Christian traditions:

Veiling of Images: In many churches, it is customary to veil crosses, statues, and other religious images in purple fabric from Passion Sunday until the end of the Good Friday service. This practice symbolizes the deep mourning over Jesus' passion and serves as a visual reminder of the solemnity of the season.

Liturgical Changes: The liturgy during Passiontide may include additional prayers, readings, and hymns that focus on suffering, sacrifice, and redemption. The use of specific liturgical colors, especially purple, highlights the penitential nature of the season.

Holy Week Observances: Holy Week, the final week of Passiontide, includes several vital days that commemorate the events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion and death:

Palm Sunday: Celebrates Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem.

Maundy Thursday: Commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples.

Good Friday: Marking Jesus' crucifixion and death.

Holy Saturday: A day of quiet reflection and waiting for Easter.

Special Services and Practices: Churches may hold special services, such as Stations of the Cross, processions, and extended periods of prayer and fasting. These practices deepen the faithful's participation in the mystery of Jesus' passion.

Passiontide is a time for Christians to reflect deeply on the cost of their salvation and the depth of Jesus' love and to prepare their hearts for the joy of His Resurrection on Easter Sunday.

THE ABRAHAMIC FAITHS AND EASTER

Easter is the first demarcation point between Islam and Christianity.

Muslims believe in Jesus Christ as a great prophet and a messenger of God, and Many of His sermons and teachings are included in the Qu'ran. Like Christians, they believe He will return someday in judgment. The Virgin Mary, likewise, is revered in Islam. Where Muslims begin to diverge from Christians is the resurrection, which Easter celebrates. Islam does not teach that Jesus arose from the dead. However, they do believe he ascended into heaven upon his crucifixion.

Judaism diverges from its cousins upon the birth of Jesus, a holiday known as Christmas. The Jewish faith believes Jesus Christ is neither a prophet nor the Messiah, which they believe is yet to come. He is barely acknowledged in the faith; rather, He is briefly mentioned in oral traditions as a troublesome rabbi who was executed for his heresies.

All three Abrahamic faiths, however, share versions of the first five books of the Old Testament and the values presented in what Christians refer to as The Ten Commandments. These commandments underlie what is known as Abrahamic Values, named after the patriarch of the Israelites.

CONCLUSION

In summary, Easter is a joyous holiday for Christians following horrific events. It marks the fulfillment of Biblical prophecy and the initiation of a new covenant with God through the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It begins a new era where, unlike before when one was chosen by God, through Christ, all people may now choose to be with God to share in His bounty, love, and protection. Whether one believes it or not, Christ's birth and resurrection is the foundational historical event that informs what historians call the Common Era.