Easter Greetings to Our Friends and Allies

Easter is a sacred time for Christians and has an interesting history.  Before Christianity, there was a pagan festival that celebrated spring in the Northern hemisphere, and new life after winter. Since 325 AD, the first major church council determined that Easter should fall on the Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox.  Thus, Easter moves during a defined time period. The name for Easter in most European countries is derived from “Passover.”  Quoting Professor Carole Cusack of the University of Sydney, we read, "So in Greek the feast is called Pascha, in Italian Pasqua, in Danish it is Paaske, and in French it is Paques."   However, in English speaking countries and Germany, the name is taken from a pagan goddess, the goddess of spring or renewal, Eostre.

Whatever the ancient source, the celebration has much significance in Christianity, being a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. For Jews, the timing has generally been thought to relate to Jesus’ having the “last supper,” or a Passover seder. 

We can all understand and appreciate the significance of welcoming spring, celebrating the renewal and warming of the earth, and the cycle of life. 

Wishing Happy Easter to our Christian friends and allies.