Immaculate Conception this year
By Davina Ramdass
For some, Easter is just about the excitement that comes along with the making and flying of kites, but for Christians, it is a highly significant holiday with deep spiritual roots. In fact, the story of Easter itself is a spine chilling one that makes Christians feel almost guilty as they remember how Jesus, the son of God, came and died for the sins of mankind.
Father Terry Davis of the Anglican Diocese of Guyana told the story of Easter as he made sure to note that the story began way back at the beginning of time. He explained how the first humans, Adam and Eve sinned against God by being disobedient and the only way for the world to be rid of sin was through the Son of God who had to die so that man could have eternal life.
The death of the holy one only happened after Jesus was born and performed wonders that drew men unto Him. He also had 12 disciples along with thousands who followers who went everywhere he ventured to preach the Gospel.
However, there was one of his 12 chosen disciples who sold him to the soldiers who came to arrest him after the last supper on Holy Thursday.
Before Good Friday is observed, Christians observe Palm Sunday in remembrance of Jesus who had walked through the streets of Jerusalem before he was crucified. As he rode on the back of a mule, believers had thrown palms on the roads to signify his purity. This occasion is also observed in the Churches as they themselves take to the streets with their palms.
Following Palm Sunday, Christians observe Holy Thursday which according to the Holy Scriptures was the day Christ had his last supper. Father Davis said believers observe the day by washing their feet in the Church, as Christ himself had washed the feet of his disciples before he was crucified the next day.
Good Friday
On this day the Bible says that Jesus was hauled before the Courts and was subsequently crucified for simply preaching the Gospel. Some spat on him, they ridiculed him and terrorized his body before nailing him to the cross. Jesus endured lashes on his back that ripped his flesh off, it was then seasoned with salt as the Jews continued to mock him, asking that he saves himself if he indeed is the son of God. Jesus was however fully aware of the purpose he came to earth and silently bore his pain.
Jesus had been fasting, according to Father Davis and was weak but was made to carry a cross on his battered back. The son of God had his hands later nailed to the cross and a crown of thorns was placed on his head. He later died and was laid to rest in a tomb on Friday evening.
Churches across the world, the religious leader said, observe this day with prayer services and reflect on the sufferings of Christ. Moreover, he said it is a time of repentance and self-examination.
Holy Saturday
Holy Saturday is not only an auspicious day for Catholics because they end their 40 days of fasting here, but is also a day that Christians look forward to as they are reminded that they have hope for salvation.
Prior to Holy Saturday, Catholics and Anglicans would have observed Ash Wednesday to mark the beginning of their 40 days fast, referred to as Lent. Ashes are used to mark churchgoers on the forehead with a sign of the cross, to symbolise repentance for sin. The ashes are collected from burnt palms from the last Palm Sunday.
Lent is usually observed for 46 days prior to Easter. While it is called the 40 days of Lent; in actuality, it is 46 days since Sundays are not counted.
According to Father Davis, the day is observed with Easter vigils in their respective churches with prayer services. He noted that candles are lit and various scriptures are recited in the sanctuaries as they remind themselves that Jesus is the light of the world.
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday is the day that Jesus rose from the dead. Father Davis explained the logic behind this as the scriptures say, He arose on the third day.
“In our time we measure time by 24 hours, we use clocks and watches and so on but in those days, they hadn’t these gadgets. They measured time by the moving of the sun and so their day was measured by sundown and sun up. Their month was measured by the moon…when Jesus was placed in the tomb at sundown on Friday, Sun up on Saturday was one day. From sun up on Saturday to Sundown on Saturday was the second day and from sundown on Saturday evening to sun up on Sunday morning (marked) three days,” he explained.
Easter Monday
Easter Monday is a light day that believers use to celebrate the resurrection of Christ through kite flying. Some believe that kites symbolize Jesus rising from the dead but Father Davis says the practice has nothing to do it as it is a merely cultural practice. He noted that there was nothing wrong with kite flying, however people in other countries especially China, fly kites as a form of recreation.
Pentecostal
celebrations
While not all Pentecostal (another denomination) Christians fast, Pastor Ravindra Shiwnandan endorsed the explanation of the significance of Easter, as shared by Father Davis.
Church services are not commonly held on Holy Thursday, but Good Friday services usually draw a massive crowd of believers and non-believers, who goes out to Church to thank God for sending His only Son.
Pastor Shiwnandan explained, “Easter represents the manifestation of the victory that happened on the cross on Good Friday. So on Good Friday, it is when Jesus Christ completely destroyed the works of Satan (the evil one) in relation to Satan wanting to hold humanity captive through death. What Jesus did on the cross was to show the devil and the rest of the world that He has the power of death and life in His hand…He went down to hell, took the keys of hell and death from Satan and arose from the dead on Easter”.
Why is Easter celebrated at a different time every year?
Many have been curious about why Easter is celebrated on a different date every year but Christians look for a specific phase of the moon before they decide on the date for the Holiday. It is also celebrated after the fasting period of Lent.
