i've heard of this and think it pertains to easter, but i can't remember??  am i on the right track??\n\nthanks
199799
The feast of Maundy (or Holy) Thursday solemnly commemorates the institution of the Eucharist and is the oldest of the observances peculiar to Holy Week. In Rome various accessory ceremonies were early added to this commemoration, namely the consecration of the holy oils and the reconciliation of penitents, ceremonies obviously practical in character and readily explained by the proximity of the Christian Easter and the necessity of preparing for it. Holy Thursday could not but be a day of liturgical reunion since, in the cycle of movable feasts, it brings around the anniversary of the institution of the Liturgy. On that day, whilst the preparation of candidates was being completed, the Church celebrated the Missa chrismalis of which we have already described the rite (see HOLY OILS) and, moreover, proceeded to the reconciliation of penitents. In Rome everything was carried on in daylight, whereas in Africa on Holy Thursday the Eucharist was celebrated after the evening meal, in view of more exact conformity with the circumstances of the Last Supper. Canon 24 of the Council of Carthage dispenses the faithful from fast before communion on Holy Thursday, because, on that day, it was customary take a bath, and the bath and fast were considered incompatible. St. Augustine, too, speaks of this custom (Ep. cxviii ad Januarium, n. 7); he even says that as certain persons did not fast on that day, the oblation was made twice, morning and evening, and in this way those who did not observe the fast could partake of the Eucharist after the morning meal, whilst those who fasted awaited the evening repast.
513835
No,it's commercialism.\n\nIf more christians redirected their enegry at the non-commercial message of the hoilday they might have more of a case for it than posting silly questions about\n\nMerry Xmas.
107256
Sorry Bobby, it is - just around the corner in fact.  So you'd better get religious real quick.   Or else buy one of my Apopalips Now Insurins Pollicies.  Send $100 to my Yahoo!Answers page.  Hurry : offer expires when the rumbling begins !!
372233
Would that be classified as another mystery of Christ? I believe even those who do not know of Jesus must feel his presents withnin creation. He is all in all. Yes interesting.
199415
i can't seem to find any info on it. why not contact the church itself...nearby church for more answeres.
533692
First, it is only called Easter in Germanic language countries, in the rest of the world, it is called pascha which means passover from pesach.  Oestara had a celebration during the equinox and Pascha tends to fall near the equinox.  Gradually Christianity destroyed the religion of Oestara but the name remains as a vestige.\n\nSecond, eggs have nothing to do with Christianity, however eggs are a sign of life.  The original Easter eggs were called pysanki and had Christian images on them.  All animal products were banned during the Christian fast to replicate the pre-Noah period.  Easter was the first day Christians could eat eggs so they dedicated them to Christ through art.  The practice of decorating eggs preceeds Christianity but Christianity coopted it.  In fact, Easter basked with eggs, cheese and meat are blessed every Easter morning following the Resurrection services for the first meal of the day.\n\nRabbits reproduce at extraordinary rates, they are a symbol of life and innocence.  It also is the case that a handful of societies worshipped animals and Easter falling near the solstice happens to overlap many other observances.  Christianity co-opted other people symbols to destroy their religion.  They took the bunny over in the process.
161130
I read that this morning. It was very interesting. It made me wonder though if it had been written by some apostate of the period though. \nI am open to new scripture being found. I'm sure that all of Christ's apostles wrote their testimonies. But I want to read it for myself and see what it has to say before I decide if its truth or not.
270887
Interesting how so many people quote a different part of the bible without dealing with the fact that there is a clear contradictino here.\n\nTHis guy posted a verse that says basically, ask and you shall receive. Not "I'll think about it", but you shall receive.  And you all quote verses saying "not so fast".  Well, which is it? Can we move mountains with faith? Only if it's for a good cause? What?
343191
Wow-very very true! I can't believe you picked up on that.I thought I was the only one. \n\nyou are very perceptive. Don't Libs understand that it's Christianity that makes them act that way?\n\neverybody listen to this guy-he knows what he's talking about.
206929
Actually, the Easter Bunny has everything to do with Easter. \n\nEaster is derived from an ancient Germanic name for the month of April, Eostremonat--or rather Eostre Month, in dedication to the goddess Eostre. Eostre, or Ostara was a German goddess of fertility and her return was marked by the coming of spring and the sun. The Ost in her name refers to the East--the rising of the sun. The rebirth of the day and the rebirth of the spring were her specialties, and her celebrations occured during the vernal equinox--the first day of spring. Of course calendar dates have gotten juggled about for quite a few different reasons over time and now April is no longer where it once was on the calendar at what is now March 21st.\n\nThe rabbit was a traditional symbol of the goddess because of its great fertility, and the fact that the coming of spring marked the time when all of the little bunnies were seen starting to be born.\n\nWhen Christianity became the predominant religion it was an easy transition to introduce the rebirth of the Christ figure into the already extant birth and rebirth tradition. Old ways die hard, and the bunny stuck around. \n\nAlthough there are several explanations for the eggs the Easter bunny brings, (other than eggs are another traditional symbol of birth/rebirth) the most likely is that eggs were forbidden during the fast of lent, and were decorated and eaten in abundance to mark the end of the fast.\n\nGerman protestants although breaking with Roman Catholocism liked the egg tradition and kept it. And when German immigrants came to America, they brought with them the traditions of the Osterhase (Easter hare) and his eggs.\n\nInasmuch as Christianity has stolen the ancient goddess' name for their own holiday, it seems only fitting that its original mascot still puts in an appearance each year.
16194
I and my family do every Easter. We do it to suffer along with Jesus during lent. It brings us to understanding his sacrifice.
511471
Interesting point, but I thought the whole "second coming" was promised to the disciples AFTER the resurrection. In that case, no.
107761
It was conventioned that it would fall on the first sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox.\n\n"At the First Council of Nicaea in 325 it was decided that Easter would be celebrated on the same Sunday throughout the Church, but it is probable that no method was specified by the Council"\n\n"The practice of those following Rome was to celebrate Easter on the first Sunday after the earliest fourteenth day of a lunar month that occurred on or after March 21. During the Middle Ages this practice was more succinctly phrased as Easter is observed on the Sunday after the first full moon on or after the day of the vernal equinox. This full moon is called the Paschal full moon. "\n\nP.S.: chief of nothing is right... vernal equinox... I keep forgetting you people on the south hemisphere... (though I have a good friend there)... sorry :)\n\nP.P.S: Fire and wind 985 you got it the other way round: it's ash wednesday that is counted 40 days backward from the "1st sunday after the 1st full moon after Vernal equinox". How did you think Mardi Gras date was set?
576139
Hmm you bring up an intresting point.. But I would need to search it out my self.. in scripture..  So to answer your question I would say I am not too sure that is true...
203648
:}\nIsn't it interesting that many of these same Correspondences have been retained in the Christian celebration of easter. Not only have they been retained, but they have taken on new and meaningful symbolism. \nEven the name of the Holiday:  Eostre's Day and Easter Day \nEaster bunnies and colored eggs including the Pastel Colours:\nPink, Yellow, Grass Green, Robin's Egg Blue\n\nI for one am thankful that pagan holiday which was as lust oriented as was the Vernal Equinox could have been apropiated to such an important spiritual purpose.
136909
The film has to do with Passover, which also occurs around Easter.  \n\nThe Passover remembers the time when Jews were set free from slavery by the Pharoah who has just experienced the worst of a series of plagues. The eldest son in each home was killed by the Spirit except those homes which had the blood of a lamb sprinkled on the doorposts.  The Spirit "passed over" those homes and that family was safe.
595406
sounds interesting, will need to read the rest of it before i come back to comment!\n\nbut things are looking up for us gays huh? lol\ngood to know that God let us know that he will love us unconditionally too....... that is more than i can say for some on yahoo answers....