Quote:
Originally Posted by Yariv
happy easter to all that celebrate it.
some questions about easter. not making fun, I'm really looking for answers:
1. why is it a happy occasion?
2. why do orthodox christians celebrate it on a different day?
3. what on earth does a chocolate-egg laying bunny (or is it a chocolate egg-laying bunny) have to do with easter???
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1. The story goes that Jesus dies on Good Friday (today, supposedly 3 pm) so (if you're RC, at least) you fast (only one meal in the day), abstain (no meat, only fish as all the fridays during lent) when you go to church usually at 3 pm there's no mass (only day in the year) just a long-*** gospel reading, limited music (no solo instruments, bells) etc etc.
Then Easter Sunday comes which is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Basically the biggest celebration of the whole church year as the whole of Christianity is based on this one fact - his resurrection from the dead. In reality everyone is just happy the 40 days of lent is over and you can eat chocolate again without your Mother getting annoyed.
2. The Western Churches base the Easter date using the new Gregorian Calender (our day to day calender) which was introduced in 1500's by Pope Gregory. The Eastern churches still use the old Julian calender that was in use before that.
3. In reality, as with all the Christian festivals, Easter is just stolen and adapted from the old Pagan religions (just as is Christmas etc) which was a lot more fun as a religion. The Spring Equinox festival called Eostar (notice any similarity). Anyway the whole spring pagan theme is to do with rebirth and rejuvination and whatnot which is symbolized by rabbits and eggs etc.