What was Easter originally called?

The original name for the Christian celebration of Jesus's resurrection wasn't "Easter"; it was Pascha, derived from the Hebrew word for Passover (Pesach), which commemorates Jewish liberation from Egypt, as Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection occurred during this time. The English word "Easter" comes from the Anglo-Saxon goddess Eostre (or Ostara), a spring goddess, but most other languages use a variation of Pascha (e.g., French Pâques, Spanish Pascua).

What is the pagan name for Easter?

The pagan festival that coincides with Easter is often called Ostara, named after the Germanic goddess of spring, fertility, and dawn, Eostre (or Ostara), celebrated around the Spring Equinox with symbols like eggs and bunnies representing new life and the season's awakening. While the Christian holiday of Easter shares its timing and some customs (like eggs/rabbits), modern pagans often use the name "Ostara" to distinguish their nature-focused celebration from the Christian commemoration of Jesus' resurrection. 

What was Easter originally called in the Bible?

The Greek word "PASCHA," translated "Easter" in Acts 12:4, was translated "passover". This is the only time it was translated "Easter" and reflects the customs of the translators, not the first-century Christians. Easter was a PAGAN festival at the time of this occurrence AND WAS NOT CELEBRATED BY CHRISTIANS.

What is the old name for Easter?

The original name for the Christian celebration of Christ's resurrection was Pascha (or Pasca), derived from the Hebrew Pesach (Passover), as the event happened during the Jewish Passover festival. The English name "Easter" comes from the Old English Ēostre, likely named after the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring, Ēostre or Ostara, whose festival coincided with the spring equinox, though evidence for this goddess is debated.
 

What was Easter originally before Jesus?

Pre-Christian Solstice

Originally known as the Spring Equinox, the word Easter parallels the German word Ostern which is derived from Eostre or Ostara, the Anglo-Saxon Goddess of Spring. In German stories, Ostara is believed to have been responsible for bringing about spring each year.

Easter Meaning: Why is Easter Called Easter?

What pagan holidays did Christianity take?

Major Christian holidays like Christmas, Easter, and Halloween incorporate traditions with deep pagan roots, stemming from ancient Roman (Saturnalia, Lupercalia) and Germanic/Celtic (Yule, Samhain, Ostara, Beltane) festivals celebrating solstices, fertility, and seasonal changes, which early Christians adapted by reassigning Christian meanings to align with the new faith. Key examples include Christmas's Winter Solstice connection, Easter's spring goddess ties (Eostre/Ostara), and Halloween's roots in Celtic Samhain, with pagan symbols like trees, eggs, and feasting repurposed to represent Christian concepts like Christ (true light) or new life.
 

Did the Bible tell us to celebrate Easter?

Instead, celebrating the birth (Christmas) and resurrection (Easter) of Jesus are by far the two most popular traditions in Christianity. Yet ironically, neither are commanded, much less suggested, in the New Testament.

When did we start calling it Easter?

The word "Easter" first appeared in Old English writings around the 8th century, notably in the works of the monk Bede, who linked the name to the Anglo-Saxon spring goddess Ēostre (or Eostre), used for the month Ēosturmōnaþ (April). While Bede recorded the name's potential pagan origin, the word became adopted by English Christians for the celebration of Christ's resurrection, paralleling the German Ostern and deriving from Germanic roots for "east" or "dawn" (and possibly "resurrection") rather than a direct pagan deity, with William Tyndale later using it in English Bible translations. 

Is Easter a pagan holiday of fertility?

Easter was originally the celebration of Ishtar, the Assyrian and Babylonian goddess of fertility and sex. Her symbols (like the egg and the bunny) were and still are fertility and sex symbols (or did you actually think eggs and bunnies had anything to do with the resurrection?).

Did Jesus rise on Easter as a Catholic?

Yes, Easter is always celebrated on a Sunday since Jesus rose from the dead on the first Sunday following the Jewish feast of Passover.

Where in the Bible does it say not to put up a Christmas tree?

In Jeremiah 10:1-4 the verses basically say not to cut down trees and decorate them as the heathens did to sum it up. So why is this such a common practice among Christians, when they shouldn't even be celebrating Christmas in the first place?

Why did they change Easter from April to March?

Additionally, the church wished to eliminate dependencies on the Hebrew calendar, by deriving the date for Easter directly from the March equinox.

What does it mean when Mary pondered in her heart?

When Mary "pondered in her heart," it means she deeply meditated, treasured, and mentally replayed significant events and divine messages about Jesus, like the angel's announcement and the shepherds' visit, holding them close to understand their meaning over time through quiet reflection, faith, and deep thought, rather than immediate full comprehension. It signifies a spiritual process of collecting divine truths, allowing them to shape her faith and understanding, serving as a model for trusting God's unfolding plan. 

What is Easter called in witchcraft?

Since spring is in the air is the Ostara and is celebration of the Spring Equinox. The name comes from the goddess Ostara or Eostre. Many of the practices that are now associated with Easter, even the name Easter itself stems from the ancient pagan practices of the Spring Equinox.

Why don't Christians believe in Easter?

In fact, the name Easter is really the name of an ancient pagan goddess that has roots from ancient Babylonian times dating before the birth of Christ. "Secondly, there is no teaching in the New Testament by either Christ or His apostles about Easter or any related specifics.

Is the word "Easter" actually in the Bible?

No, the word "Easter" does not appear in the original biblical texts; it's a later addition, primarily a mistranslation of the Greek word pascha (Passover) in the King James Version (KJV) in Acts 12:4, while most other versions correctly use "Passover". The biblical narrative focuses on Jesus' resurrection, but the term "Easter" itself, linked to pagan spring festivals (Ishtar/Ostara), isn't found in Scripture, with celebrations evolving centuries later.
 

Is Ishtar in the Bible?

No, the name "Ishtar" isn't in the Bible, but the Mesopotamian goddess Ishtar is strongly linked to figures like the "Queen of Heaven" mentioned in Jeremiah and Ashtaroth (Astarte) in Judges, representing the pagan fertility cults Israel was warned against, with her worship echoing in biblical condemnation of idolatry. Her influence appears as a contrast to Yahweh, appearing as the "Queen of Heaven" (Jeremiah 7:18, 44:17) and sometimes confused with or related to Asherah and Baal worship. 

What does Jesus say about pagan holidays?

Jesus didn't directly address modern pagan holidays but taught that worship must be "in spirit and truth," emphasizing sincerity and adherence to God's word, not human traditions or mixing them with pagan customs, which the Bible warns against as detestable and leading to idolatry (Matthew 15:9, John 4:23-24), urging believers to avoid learning or adopting the corrupt practices of other nations (Deuteronomy 12:30-31, Jeremiah 10:2-3), even if done with good intent. 

What do bunnies and eggs have to do with Jesus?

Baby animals and eggs were symbols of fertility goddesses, of the earth regenerating, and the promise of a future harvest. But we can repurpose these ancient symbols to teach our kids what Jesus has done for us! Eggs and bunnies tell the Easter story for kids by showing rebirth and power over death.

Does the Bible say not to celebrate Easter?

There is nothing wrong with you and your family celebrating Easter, calling the celebration Easter, or going on an Easter Egg hunt. As believers, we should do all we can to make the focus of this day Jesus and His resurrection. As long as you are not participating in actual pagan worship rituals, you are in the clear.

How many times has Easter fallen on 420?

Easter has fallen on April 20th many times, with occurrences in 1631, 1642, 1710, 1783, 1794, 1851, 1862, 1919, 1924, 1930, 2003, 2014, 2025, and will again in 2087 and 2098, making it a recurring, though not annual, date within the 1600-2099 period, according to U.S. Census data. 

Why is the bunny associated with Easter?

The bunny is linked to Easter through ancient pagan spring festivals celebrating fertility and rebirth, where the prolific rabbit symbolized new life, a concept later merged with the Christian celebration of Jesus's resurrection. German immigrants brought the tradition of the "Easter Hare" (Oschter Haws) to America, who judged children and brought colored eggs, blending pagan symbols with Christian holidays.
 

Why did God wait 3 days to raise Jesus?

God waited three days to raise Jesus to fulfill prophecy, prove Jesus's death was real (as Jewish tradition held the spirit lingered three days), and to provide unmistakable evidence of his Messiahship and power over death, aligning with biblical patterns of resurrection and new life on the third day. This delay removed doubt that Jesus had truly died and demonstrated his authority, as taught in scripture. 

Do Jehovah's Witnesses celebrate Easter?

No, Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate Easter; they abstain from it, along with other holidays like Christmas, because they believe its traditions have pagan origins and are not supported by the Bible, focusing instead on commemorating Jesus' death at their annual Memorial service as commanded by Jesus. They see Easter customs (like bunnies, eggs) as stemming from ancient fertility rites, not scripture, and believe their worship should be pure and biblical, emphasizing Jesus' sacrifice over his resurrection celebration.
 

Is Ezekiel 25-17 a real Bible verse?

The origin of that reference would be the script. That is to say, it's not a direct quote of any actual Bible passage, and there's of course a ton online as to whether it's even a fair summary or extrapolation of what the book of Ezekiel was addressing in that section.