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The name "Easter" comes from the Old Norse Eostur, meaning the time when the
sun began to grow warmer. A festival at the time of the spring equinox was
common to most of Europe to celebrate the new life returning to the earth. In
the same way, Easter is regarded as God's sign that his people are brought to a
new life through the resurrection of Jesus.
No Easter wasn't the time where the medieval chickens played tricks on
the peasants. It was not uncommon for the lords workers to work on the land
during most feast days, however Easter was an exception, the Easter celebration
was taken seriously, EVERYONE would be in church...
Lent was the week before Easter, referred to as Holy Week, during this week
there were games, dancing, with three of the days marked by special ceremonies,
Palm Sunday, Maunday Thursday, and Good Friday.
The baptism of adult catechumens were performed at Easter Mass, "Catechumen"
in the early Church, was the name applied to one who had not yet been initiated
into the sacred mysteries, but was undergoing a course of preparation for that
purpose.
How many of you had a new set of cloths for Easter?, a custom that still
exists today, sadly the street parties have gone..
Latin proverb: Omne vivum ex ovo. This means "all life comes from
an egg".
Exchanging Easter eggs with one another is a custom that goes back thousands
of years. The egg was a symbol of rebirth. Many cultures used the egg to
symbolize both rebirth and the universe. The origin of the Easter egg predates
the origin of Christianity.
Celebrations
Christmas Boxing Day
Easter May Day
Martinmas Advent
Halloween Michaelmas
Pentecost Candlemas
Hock Tide Plow Monday
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