As we prepare to celebrate the most important holiday of the Christian faith, and one of the holiest in Judaism, we want to honor these celebrations with a bit of background and tradition.
Easter
Easter represents Christ’s resurrection from the tomb, after his crucifixion. It is a day of joy, filled with Easter lilies, and the sounds of trumpets, organs, and voices singing and saying, “He is risen. He is risen, indeed!” Christians believe that through Christ’s sacrifice, he proved that God’s love is never-ending love, and all who believe in Jesus as their savior, will have eternal life in heaven. This year, Easter falls on April 9th.
Eastern Christian Orthodox churches celebrate Easter the Sunday after the first moon, after Passover because they use the Julian calendar, rather than the Gregorian calendar. Their eastern distinction indicates the geographical element in the church’s origin and development and includes Ukrainian and Russian orthodox. This year, eastern orthodox Easter falls on April 16th.
Passover
Passover is an eight-day Jewish celebration that commemorates the historic deliverance of the Jews/Israelites from slavery in Egypt. It occurs on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan, the first month of Aviv, or spring. This year, Passover will be celebrated April 5-13, and culminates on the last day.
Sedar meals are eaten on the first and second day of Passover and consist of foods that commemorate the Hebrews’ liberations, like unleavened bread (non-rising). Passover dietary rules restrict the use of grains that can ferment and become leavened. Wheat flour is permitted only if it is baked into Matzah. Prayers and traditional recitations are performed during the seder, including the stories of the Exodus.
The Easter Bunny
Regardless of your religious preference, or no preference, you mostly likely made Easter memories with a basket, dyed eggs, and a cream-filled Russell Stover’s chocolate egg, delivered by the Easter Bunny.
Whatever your story, we wish you sunshine and blessings this April, the blooming of spring, and happy days, surrounded by the people you love.