happy Easter!
But Pastor, Easter was last Sunday. Why are you wishing us a “Happy Easter!” today? My friend, I’m glad you asked. There are two reasons.
The first reason is that Easter is a season that began last Sunday, April 12th. The season lasts until Ascension Thursday, May 21st. The dates for the season are set by the number of days Jesus stayed and taught the disciples after his resurrection; forty. That means every day from last Sunday until May21st we can and should celebrate Easter. If you look at the colors of the paraments (cloth banners) on the pulpit and lectern at worship during this season, they will be white symbolizing the purity of holiness. NOTE: You see that same white during the Christmas Season (December 25th to January 6th), and every time we celebrate the Sacrament of Communion.
The second reason to say “Happy Easter!” is because today is Orthodox Easter. They celebrate Easter based the Julian Calendar, which is approximately thirteen days off the Gregorian Calendar the western church uses, and they never celebrate Easter on or before the Passover. So this year, their Easter falls on this day. So to my sisters and brothers of the Orthodox tradition, “Happy Easter!”
And to everybody: “He is risen! He is risen indeed!”
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