Five things you never knew about Easter

By Samuel Oladipupo Essoodee

Easter is known to be the Sunday that marks the end of the Holy Week, an event that celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ by Christian faith.
It is greatly influenced by the Christian faith as it reminds believers to remember the last sacrifice of the Son of God.
1. The first story of a rabbit (later named the “Easter Bunny”) hiding eggs in a garden was published in 1680.
2. The religious celebration of Easter might have deep roots to ancient Christian traditions, but the name itself comes from pagans. According to the book ‘Rabbits: The Animal Answer Guide,’ the Olde English worshipped a fertility god named Ostara and the Celtics worshipped a similar god called Eostre. Both “Ostara” and “Eostre” gave us modern English words such as estrogen, estrus and Easter.
3. The custom of lamb for Easter dinner comes from the Jewish Passover holiday. On that day, a sacrificial lamb was eaten, along with other symbolic foods, at the Passover Seder. The Christians adopted the lamb as a symbol of Jesus and retained the custom.
4. “Easter” was named from the Anglo-Saxon goddess Eostre.
At least, this is what author Bede stated in the book he wrote back in the eighth century. This goddess in particular was known for spring time celebrations and fertility. Some believe that Eostre (also sometimes spelled “Eastre”) also had a connection with two other big Easter items — hares and eggs.
5. Eggs, the unofficial symbol of Easter, have been seen as ancient symbol of fertility, while springtime is considered to bring new life and rebirth.
6. Easter falls on a different day every year, and you can blame the moon for that. Christ’s death coincides with the Jewish Passover, which is celebrated during the first full moon after the vernal equinox, better known as the first day of spring. The rule was set for the Christian church by the Council of Nicaea, stating that Easter would be held on the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the vernal equinox.
7. The custom of lamb for Easter dinner comes from the Jewish Passover holiday. On that day, a sacrificial lamb was eaten, along with other symbolic foods, at the Passover Seder. The Christians adopted the lamb as a symbol of Jesus and retained the custom.
Source: https://www.uselessdaily.com