Unveiling Easter: exploring the Christian celebration and its roots

WEB DESK: As Christians worldwide, including those in Pakistan, gear up for Easter on Sunday, lets delve into the significance of this holiday celebrated by over 2.4 billion people worldwide.

Easter, observed on March 31 this year in Pakistan, is a special festival and cultural occasion for Christians. It marks the end of a period known as “Passion Week,” during which Christians engage in 40 days of fasting, prayer, and penance leading up to Easter Sunday.

The holiday is believed to have originated from an ancient Saxon spring festival called “Ēostre”.

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Easter usually features traditional activities centered around eggs, such as egg rolling, egg tapping, and egg decorating. These customs symbolise themes of fertility and rebirth. Alongside traditional eggs, in modern times, supermarkets are flooded with modern variations, including wooden or plastic eggs filled with chocolate.

The custom of Easter eggs dates back to early Christians in Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq). Over time, it spread to other regions like Siberia, Eastern Europe, and eventually across Europe.

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The Easter bunny is another famous symbol associated with the holiday. It originated in Germany and was first mentioned in German literature in the 17th century. Together with Easter eggs, other customary foods include buns that bear a cross.

Easter is celebrated through various rituals, including sunrise services or late-night vigils, and the exchanging of “Paschal” greetings. It is considered one of the most important days in the Christian calendar, representing themes of renewal and the promise of new life.