Pascha / Easter

Eas·ter
Pronunciation: \ˈē-stər\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English estre, from Old English ēastre; akin to Old High German ōstarun (plural) Easter, Old English ēast east
Date: before 12th century
: a feast that commemorates Christ's resurrection and is observed with variations of date due to different calendars on the first Sunday after the paschal full moon

Easter. Its a wonderful time for all reasons. This is when we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. It is a time for families and friends to come together. This is also a holiday which is widely celebrated by the non-religious as well. For many, and different families, traditions vary with this holiday within different cultures or societies.

Australia has Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday to celebrate this holiday.

Tidbits:

• Palm Sunday celebrates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. The crosses used in service are converted to ash, for use in Ash Wednesday services.
• Ash Wednesday sees the forehead of a person with ash in the shape of a cross. This is to symbolize penitence and mortality. Lent begins.
• 40 days of Lent occur, prayer and penance are praciticed.
• When Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and established the ceremony known as the Eucharist, it was called the Last Supper (aka Maundy Thursday, when Judas betrayed Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
• Good Friday, commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus and is a day of mourning in church.
• Easter Sunday see the Churches filled with color and joyful hymns being sung. This day celebrates the resurrection of Jesus.
• Pentecost (7th Sunday after Easter) is derived from a Jewish harvest festival called Shavuot. The apostles were celebrating this festival when the Holy Spirit descended on them. Pentecost marks the birth of the Christian Church as well.
• Ascension Day (40 days AFTER Easter) represents the last appearance of Jesus. The Christian belief is that Jesus ascends into Heaven at this time.

Australia tries to carry on a tradition of The Bilby, not the Bunny for Easter. When the Bunny was introduced into Australia, it didnt do much good. It somehow created a negative image as it is responsible for a lot of damage to the land. Australia has a BILBY, which looks similiar to the Bunny, and they have tried for years to have the Bilby be the mascot of Easter. Sadly, the BILBY is not high in numbers, and needs donations and funding for land and supplies etc for the Bilby to continue in Australia.

Well, enough ramble.. whereever you are this Easter, whatever your religion, whomever you may be, may you spare a moment for mankind: the suffering, the joyous, and the everyday moments of life which we all endure. Have a wonderful time celebrating how you choose. Go kindly.

I will let you know what i get up to as well! Whats everyones plans?