History Of Easter

[thomaspayne]

what is the history of easter?

[tonyav]

I always thought that was to celebrate the crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

[WyeDyed]

That is a very broad question, can you narrow it down a bit?

[FredPuli43]

It's simply a Christian festival. It was originally timed to fit in with Passover and one of the days in the Jewish calendar was used for Easter Day itself. There is a certain symbolism in Spring being chosen for resurrection though; the image of the the fields and animals suddenly having new life, after a period of no life at all, must have been compelling.

[Maydup]

^^^^ and falls on the Sunday nearest to the full moon, nearest to the Spring Equinox. Hence the ever changing dates.

[WyeDyed]

Wasn't it fixed to the festival of Oestra?

[thomaspayne]

ty all for your great answer. But Fredy gives me the best answer. :)

[jake-the-peg]

No Oestra is just the name we've used from Saxon culture.

Easter is a properly Christian festival (Unlike Christmas). According to the New Testament Jesus entered Jerusalem 6 days before passover on a donkey (This is 'Palm Sunday') and was crucified on the Friday before the resurection on the Sunday.

This is why Easter moves about in date because passover does and it's linked to that.

Generally Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Equinox

[Zeuhl]

I expect you're right jtp

but it is a rather 'neat' coincidence with earlier festivals of rebirth in the spring.

and the jesus myth of execution and resurrection does match pre-christian examples

[jake-the-peg]

Most - rebirth festivals will happen in Spring for obvious reasons

Christmas though is a straight steal from Sol-Invictus red handed no question. But Easter is linked to passover with good reason and I think we have to let them have that one! :c)

[WyeDyed]

Nearest Sunday to the first new moon after the vernal equinox, sounds pretty pagan to me.

[WyeDyed]

But I accept the link to passover.

[Old_Geezer]

Oh come on, you know the history is really all about eggs and bunnies and cards. Why must you lot bring religion into everything ?

[Iam-Replete]

Hi thomaspayne, it appears that most respondants have mis-read you question, and replied in some manner describing Easter , such as what it was or when was it.
However you specifically ask for the "..history of e(sic)aster?"
That's an enormous question and the best way to answer it is to Google your own question!
When I did this, the first item in the list was "History Today", ans excellent publication, and does try to give the "history of Easter."
Well recommended.