EASTER IN BRITAIN USA Easter What comes to

EASTER IN BRITAIN & USA

Easter – What comes to mind? 2

Do you know that… EASTER is a religious holiday that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But the term ‘Easter' is not of Christian origin!!! Let us turn to the dictionnaries to see what they say about the term “Easter”: Easter: Eas'ter, E['a]stre, a goddess of light or spring, in honor of whom a festival was celebrated in April 3

The word EASTER comes from Eostre, the Anglo. Saxon name of a pagan goddess of Spring and fertility, whose festival was celebrated at the vernal equinox 4

Spring or Vernal Equinox is Latin for “Equal Night” when daytime equals nighttime 5

Calculating the date of Easter • The festival of Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon which happens on or after March 21, which is also known as the Spring Equinox 6

When is Easter? • It is on a different date each year. • Always on a Sunday. • Always in the Spring. • Most people just check a calendar!!! 7

• Why is it that English speaking Christians, still use the name of a pagan goddess Eastre to refer to this sacred event? ? ? • In many languages, the term used for the events surrounding Jesus' death and resurrection is called “Pesach” or “Passover”. 8

Pesach =Pascha = Passover • • • Hebrew: Pesach Greek: Pascha French: Pâques Italian: Pasqua Spanish: Pascua Portuguese: Pascoa Romanian: Paste Russian: Paskha Polish: Pascha Japanese: Seidai Pasuha • • • Albanian: Pashket Danish: Paske Finnish: Paasiainen Icelandic: Paskar Norwegian: Paske Swedish: Pask Irish: Caisc Turkish: Paskalya Indonesian: Paskah Persian: Pas'h 9

In spite of the fact that English speaking Christians, still use the name of a pagan goddess to refer to this sacred event, they celebrate Pascha! • They believe that on the day of Easter, Jesus Christ rose from the dead, on the third day after his crucifixion. • Hence, the feast is regarded as an integral part of every Christian household.

Some more interesting facts about Easter: • Rabbits and eggs are considered as symbols of fertility. It makes them suitable symbols for Easter 11

The EASTER BUNNY is originated with the rabbit or hare, an ancient symbol for the moon 12

According to a legend the bunny was a large bird belonging to the Goddess of Spring who changed the bird into a rabbit 13

The First chocolate Easter eggs and rabbits were made in the 19 th century in Germany 14

You are to collect eggs today!!! One point = one egg!!! 15

Game: Easter Symbols These are a few Easter symbols that are often used to represent the feast of Easter 16

The Cross Represents the Crucifixion

Eggs Signify new life 18

Chickens and Bunnies • Like eggs symbolize new life • An Easter Bunny is similar to the Santa Claus of Christmas • It delivers Easter eggs for children on Easter 19

Easter Flowers • Signify innocence, purity and the spring season 20

White Lilies Tulips 21

White Lilies Tulips 22

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Easter Bonnet Hats – it was believed that wearing something new on Easter would bring good luck 25

Easter Parade in New York is a real fun for those who likes unusual hats 26

Easter Candles Signify the ray of hope 27

Hot Cross Buns The symbol of the Crucifixion 28

Butterflies • The first stage of the butterfly when it is a caterpillar, symbolizes the life of Jesus on earth • The cocoon stage highlights the Crucifixion • The third stage when the insect transforms into a butterfly signifies Jesus' Resurrection 29

Butterflies 30

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Meeting the Easter Bunny 32

Hot Cross Buns 33

HOT CROSS BUNS • The word ‘ buns’ is derived from the word ‘ boun’ which means ‘sacred ox’. • Cross buns served as a charm against shipwreck, bad luck and even fire 34

Hot Cross Buns Song (Lyrics) Hot cross buns! One a penny, two a penny, Hot cross buns! If you have no daughters, Give them to your sons One a penny, Two a penny, Hot Cross Buns! 35

Easter Egg Rolling in Washington DC 36

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Easter Eggs Hunt Eggs are hidden for you to find. They may be left by the Easter Bunny. They also may be put in a basket filled with real or artificial straw to resemble a bird's nest. 38