Easter History

By 200 AD, Christian beliefs were gradually being accepted by many in society. When the age-old spring festivals came around, Christians chose to celebrate as a time to remember the crucifixion and miraculous rebirth of their savior.

Christianity tells us that Jesus Christ was ordered to be put to death by Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor in 30 AD. Nailed to a cross, Christ suffered horribly and three days later rose from the dead into heaven.

Coincidentally, the Resurrection took place during Passover, a Jewish celebration commemorating the exodus of the Hebrews enslaved in Egypt. Christians of the day had roots in Judaism and for a while Easter and Passover were celebrated together.

During the 4th century, Christians began to observe Good Friday, the day of Christ's crucifixion. In 325 AD, the council of Nicaea established that Easter was to be celebrated on the Sunday on or after the first full moon of the spring equinox. Around this time Good Friday and Easter became Christian holidays and Passover solely Jewish.

Easter is the final event in a period of religious observances. Lent, a time of penitence including some fasting, is 40 days prior to Easter and starts with Ash Wednesday. The day before is widely and wildly celebrated around the world as Mardi Gras and Carnival. "Mardi Gras," French for Fat Tuesday, is a raucous day of feasting before the solemnity of Lent. Then Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, representing Jesus' return to Jerusalem. Maundy Thursday symbolizes the Last Supper of Christ followed by Good Friday and Easter Sunday.

German settlers in the Pennsylvania Dutch community are documented as bringing some Easter traditions to this country in the 18th century and the festivities grew in popularity after the civil war. Probably the most sacred holiday for Christians around the world, Easter is a divine celebration of life eternal.