About the Easter Holiday

Although the word "Easter" is derived from the name of the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring, Eostre, it is known that pagan celebrations of the vernal equinox originate in the earliest days of human civilization. The first written story of rebirth concerns the Babylonian goddess of love and fertility, Ishtar, who like the more familiar Greek myth of Demeter and Persephone, must descend to the underworld to rescue a loved one. In her absence the world withered, and was only restored to life upon her return--her resurrection. Each year, the Babylonians observed her return with a "Day of Joy" at the time of the vernal equinox, and these festivities paved the way for the celebrations honoring Eostre and the arrival of Spring.

For Christians, Easter is the most important and sacred holiday of the year, for it is the celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and ascension into heaven 3 days after his crucifixion. It is also the oldest Christian holiday, observed practically from the inception of Christianity itself. For the first few centuries, the date of this observance was in question, but by 325 AD it had been settled on the first Sunday following the full moon after the vernal equinox, although to this day Eastern Orthodox churches, who follow a different calendar, usually celebrate Easter 1-2 weeks after Western churches.

Most Christians, whether Catholic, Protestant, or Eastern Orthodox, celebrate Easter with baptisms, feasting, and the Eucharist or Lord's Supper. Catholic churches also conduct a vigil that includes lighting a special candle called the paschal candle, and a special series of blessings followed by the Easter Mass. In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, this vigil includes a procession outside the church, and Protestants usually celebrate with a sunrise service rather than a vigil. The Easter egg hunts and chocolate bunnies that follow hearken back to the pagan symbols associated with Ishtar and Eostre, thus incorporating both religious traditions in the holiday.