Holiest of Weeks

It’s Easter this week but it means a bit more than an extra couple of days off from school. The celebration of Easter was a multi-day observance and it evolved over centuries.

Since the earliest days of Christianity, Easter occurred every first day of the week – Sunday, which was the memorial celebration of Christ’s resurrection.  By the second century, CE one of those Sundays was designated as THE BIG EASTER, an annual celebration of the resurrection. 

Tertullian, a 2nd C. writer, stated that candidates were usually baptized during this annual feast and went through intense preparation during the week. Beginning in Jerusalem, these preparation days developed further to include all believers. Thursday commemorated the pesach or Passover meal Jesus shared with his disciples, and which had already been ritualized each Sunday as a meal of Thanksgiving, or Eucharist. Friday commemorated Jesus's execution as the Passover Lamb  followed by his entombment on Saturday. Sunday was a celebration of God’s vindication, that Jesus “had been raised” – the Day of Resurrection! Eventually, Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was also commemorated on the Sunday before the Great Easter.

In the fourth century, Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria, called this week “Holy.” The Greek world, called  it “Great Week” to signify the Great acts of God that occurred during the week. Some Christian churches call Thursday, Maundy, which is short for “Command” or Mandatum in Latin. The scriptures recount that Jesus took on the act of hospitality himself at this meal – washing guests’ feet. This act accompanied his call to be people of Charity: "A new commandment I give to you: love one another. As I have loved you, you also are to love one another" (John 13:34).

How is Easter determined each year? It occurs on the first Sunday, after the first Full Moon, after the Vernal Equinox (Spring). The Orthodox dates Easter in the same way, plus it must be after Passover, which this year is April 1. However, this year the Eastern church (Orthodox) celebrates this Great week a week later due to its use of an older Julian Calendar.

A few last notes... Colored Easter eggs are NOT a pagan part of Easter. An animal emerging from something that looks still or dead is definitely a symbol of resurrection. Second, what springtime animal better represents fertility and new life but the bunny? Lastly, the lamb was sacrificed during the Passover from Easter. Jesus was called the “Lamb of God” and “our Passover Lamb” in the bible. HAPPY EASTER!