There’s a lot to love about Easter, from the springtime setting with newly bloomed flowers to the fun Easter traditions, like dying Easter eggs and Easter baskets. But besides these chocolate goodies and religious observance of Lent, one should know the original meaning of this significant day.
According to the Christian religion, Easter is a religious day observed all around the world to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the spiritual leader of Christianity and the Son of God. But with some aspects of the holiday rooted in pagan and Jewish traditions, the origin of Easter dates back to centuries before Christ was even born. These days, many people celebrate Easter, regardless of their religion.
Easter traditions
Easter serves as the foundation for many holy celebrations that lead up to it, starting with Ash Wednesday (the first day of Lent), Lent (the observance of giving up something you love for 40 days in honor of Jesus’s 40-day fast in the desert), Palm Sunday (the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem and was celebrated as the Messiah), and Good Friday (the day Jesus was crucified).
Traditions like baking hot cross buns and filling empty eggs are symbolic of Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection from the tomb. Other traditions based on the Christian story include listening to performances of Handel’s Messiah and watching Easter movies, including The Passion of the Christ.
“Regrets” from the Queen
Unfortunately for many, the Queen of England has announced to drop out of this year’s Easter that will fall on Sunday, April 17, 2022. Instead, the royal family will be represented by Prince Charles and Camilla at the event which is due to be held at St George Chapel in Windsor on April 14. The service traditionally takes place each Thursday before Easter and the Queen is known to distribute specially-minted coins referred to as “Maundy money” to acknowledge citizens over 70 who have contributed service to their communities.
Queen Elizabeth’s public outings have decreased substantially following a number of health setbacks. Recently, she has only continued to undertake light duties and hold virtual audiences from her residence at Windsor Castle.
It will be the first time that Prince Charles, her 73-year-old son and her heir to the throne. will assume his mother’s role at the Maundy Day church service. He and his wife Camilla will meet with the Dean of Windsor, The Right Reverend David Conner KCVO and the Lord High Almoner, the Right Reverend Dr John Inge at the ceremony. They are expected to pose for photographs after the service.
Another source revealed that official emails regarding protocols for the Queen’s death were accidentally leaked by the Welsh government and are now marked as “Official sensitive” while the case is being investigated. This may explain why Her Majesty has decided to sit out of this Grand event for the first time.