Good Friday
- Thread starter trader
- Start date
Damian, thanks. One thing I'm curious about; how did an Easter bunny come to be involved in the crucifixion and religious events?
<CENTER><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=600><TBODY><TR><TD width=409>The History of Easter and the Easter Bunny© <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = O /><O
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By Arlene Wright-Correll<O> </O><O></O>
Since its conception as a holy celebration in the second century, Easter has had its non-religious side. In fact, Easter was originally a pagan festival.<O> </O>
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<CENTER><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=600><TBODY><TR><TD>The ancient Saxons celebrated the return of spring with an uproarious festival commemorating their goddess of offspring and of springtime, Eastre. When the second-century Christian missionaries encountered the tribes of the north with their pagan celebrations, they attempted to convert them to Christianity. They did so, however, in a clandestine manner.<O> </O><O></O>
It would have been suicide for the very early Christian converts to celebrate their holy days with observances that did not coincide with celebrations that already existed. To save lives, the missionaries cleverly decided to spread their religious message slowly throughout the populations by allowing them to continue to celebrate pagan feasts, but to do so in a Christian manner.
As it happened, the pagan festival of Eastre occurred at the same time of year as the Christian observance of the Resurrection of Christ. It made sense, therefore, to alter the festival itself, to make it a Christian celebration as converts were slowly won over. The early name, Eastre, was eventually changed to its modern spelling, Easter.
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Footnote: The goddess, Eastre, was worshipped by the Anglo-Saxons through her earthly symbol, the rabbit. The Easter bunny has its origin in pre-Christian fertility lore. The Hare and the Rabbit were the most fertile animals known and they served as symbols of the new life during the spring season.></O>By Arlene Wright-Correll<O
> </O><O></O>Since its conception as a holy celebration in the second century, Easter has had its non-religious side. In fact, Easter was originally a pagan festival.<O
> </O></TD><TD width=187>
<CENTER><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=600><TBODY><TR><TD>The ancient Saxons celebrated the return of spring with an uproarious festival commemorating their goddess of offspring and of springtime, Eastre. When the second-century Christian missionaries encountered the tribes of the north with their pagan celebrations, they attempted to convert them to Christianity. They did so, however, in a clandestine manner.<O
> </O><O></O>It would have been suicide for the very early Christian converts to celebrate their holy days with observances that did not coincide with celebrations that already existed. To save lives, the missionaries cleverly decided to spread their religious message slowly throughout the populations by allowing them to continue to celebrate pagan feasts, but to do so in a Christian manner.
As it happened, the pagan festival of Eastre occurred at the same time of year as the Christian observance of the Resurrection of Christ. It made sense, therefore, to alter the festival itself, to make it a Christian celebration as converts were slowly won over. The early name, Eastre, was eventually changed to its modern spelling, Easter.
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Aha, thanks Molleur. I've learnt something today, which is always a good aim.
Molleur, good post, and it got me thinking-
Oestrogen, seemed probable there is a link there;
From the Greek words estrus/οίστρος = sexual desire + gen/γόνο = to generate.
however, when I googled oestrogen and easter together, I did find one site that disputes the connection.
May your Easter Bunny go with you everyone
Dave
Oestrogen, seemed probable there is a link there;
From the Greek words estrus/οίστρος = sexual desire + gen/γόνο = to generate.
however, when I googled oestrogen and easter together, I did find one site that disputes the connection.
May your Easter Bunny go with you everyone
Dave
Pete McCluskey.
Lifetime Supporter
Peace to all.
síochána!
