Easter is celebrated on a Sunday on varying dates between March 22 and April 25 and is called a ‘moveable feast’. Connected with the observance of Easter are the 40-day penitential season of Lent (beginning on Ash Wednesday and concluding at midnight on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday), Holy Week (commencing on Palm Sunday, including Good Friday, the day of the crucifixion, and terminating with Holy Saturday) and the Octave of Easter (extending from Easter Sunday through the following Sunday). During the Octave of Easter in early Christian times, the newly baptized wore white garments, white being the liturgical color of Easter and signifying light, purity, and joy. Easter also embodies many pre-Christian traditions. The Christian festival of Easter probably embodies a number of converging traditions; most scholars emphasize the original relation of Easter to the Jewish festival of Passover, or Pesach, from which is derived Pasch, another name for Easter. The origin of its name is unknown. Many scholars believe it probably comes from Eastre, the Anglo-Saxon name of a Teutonic goddess of spring and fertility. Her festival was celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox; traditions associated with the festival continue today with the Easter rabbit, a symbol of fertility, and in the coloring of eggs with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring, and used in Easter-egg rolling contests or given as gifts. During the Presidency of Rutherford B. Hayes (1877 - 1881), it was Mrs. Hayes who originated the custom of inviting children for egg rolling at Easter on the White House lawn. Happy Easter from all the Officers, Staff and Crew of the ms Amsterdam!
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posted by Hills @ 11:47 PM
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