Easter, which celebrates Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead, is Christianity’s most important holiday. Some sources claim the word Easter is derived from Eostre, a Teutonic goddess of spring and fertility. Other accounts trace Easter to the Latin term hebdomada alba, an ancient reference to Easter week and the white clothing donned by people who were baptized during that time. Through a translation error, the term later appeared as esostarum in Old High German, which eventually became Easter in English.
Easter is really an entire season of the Christian church year. Lent, the 40-day period leading up to Easter Sunday, is a time of reflection and penance and represents the 40 days that Jesus spent alone in the wilderness before starting his ministry, a time in which Christians believe he survived various temptations by the devil. The day before Lent, known as Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, is a last hurrah of food and fun before the fasting begins. The week preceding Easter is called Holy Week and includes Maundy Thursday, which commemorates Jesus’ last supper with his disciples; Good Friday, which honors the day of his crucifixion; and Holy Saturday, which focuses on the transition between the crucifixion and resurrection. The 50-day period following Easter Sunday is called Eastertide and includes a celebration of Jesus’ ascension into heaven.
Following are the Easter events in Columbus that professional mover E.E Ward would recommend you to explore:
Easter Brunch
Dates & Hours:March 25, 2015; 6-8 pm
Location: Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens
Cinnamon topped French toast casserole, crab salad in endive spears, mini quiches and strawberry mimosas make the perfect spring brunch. Demonstration and tasting led by Chef Robin Davis, author of Recipe for Joy and blogger at FoodCookEat.com.
Joe’s Mildly Entertaining Egg Hunt
Dates & Hours:March 21- 30
Location: Columbus, OH
It’s time for some real competition: Try to solve the rhyming riddles published for 10 consecutive days on Dispatch.com and in the Life & Arts section of the newspaper. Each poem gives clues to the central Ohio location of an imaginary Easter egg. After the last one is published on March 30, send your guesses — by 5 p.m. that day — to jblundo@dispatch.com. Include your name, address, age and daytime phone number.
Easter Eggstravaganza
Dates & Hours:April 5, 2015; 5-8 pm
Location: May me Moore Park
A night of fun, fashion, food and funding- Join in to raise awareness for child illiteracy.