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'''Easter''' is the [[Christian]] holiday marking the [[resurrection of Jesus Christ]] three days after His crucifixion on [[Good Friday]], and is the most important festival of the [[liturgical year]]. Its name is derived from ''Eastre,'' the pagan goddess of fertility and spring. In biblical times the Jewish Passover, which commemorates the sparing of the [[Hebrew]] first borns, was celebrated at roughly the same time as the [[spring equinox]] or this “Eastre” festival. As the Gospel was being spread to the pagans, the celebration of Eastre and the celebration of the resurrection became combined and the Christians adopted the name that the pagans had used for their festival. In 325, the [[Nicene Counsel]] declared that the Easter holiday would be celebrated on the first Sunday after the [[full moon]] of the vernal equinox.

'''Easter''' is the [[Christian]] holiday marking the [[resurrection of Jesus Christ]] three days after His crucifixion on [[Good Friday]], and is the most important festival of the [[liturgical year]]. Its name is derived from ''Eastre,'' the pagan goddess of fertility and spring. In biblical times the Jewish Passover, which commemorates the sparing of the [[Hebrew]] firstborns, was celebrated at roughly the same time as the [[spring equinox]] or this “Eastre” festival. As the Gospel was being spread to the pagans, the celebration of Eastre and the celebration of the resurrection became combined and the Christians adopted the name that the pagans had used for their festival. In 325, the [[Nicaean Counsel]] declared that the Easter holiday would be celebrated on the first Sunday after the [[full moon]] of the vernal equinox.

Easter doesn't fall on a fixed date in the calendar. Instead, it is based on a lunar calendar like that used by the Jews. At the [[Nicean Council]] in 325 AD it was decided that Easter would be celebrated on the Sunday after the first full moon on or after the day of the vernal equinox. The date of the [[full moon]] was to be determined by using the [[Metonic Cycle]]. Eastern Orthodox Churches still use the Julian calendar when determining the date of Easter and thus have an inaccurate date for the resurrection.  

Easter doesn't fall on a fixed date in the calendar. Instead, it is based on a lunar calendar like that used by the Jews. At the [[Nicaean Council]] in 325 AD it was decided that Easter would be celebrated on the Sunday after the first full moon on or after the day of the vernal equinox. The date of the [[full moon]] was to be determined by using the [[Metonic Cycle]]. Eastern Orthodox Churches still use the Julian calendar when determining the date of Easter and thus have an inaccurate date for the resurrection.  

Easter marks the end of the 46 days of [[Lent]], a period of fasting and penitence in preparation for Easter, which begins on [[Ash Wednesday]] and ends on Easter Sunday. However, Lent really only comprises 40 days since the 6 Sundays during this period are excluded from the Lent fast, and are days that are set apart to commemorate Easter Sunday and Jesus Christ, who rose from the dead, defeated the grave and guaranteed eternal life to those who believe.

Easter marks the end of the 46 days of [[Lent]], a period of fasting and penitence in preparation for Easter, which begins on [[Ash Wednesday]] and ends on Easter Sunday. However, Lent really only comprises 40 days since the 6 Sundays during this period are excluded from the Lent fast, and are days that are set apart to commemorate Easter Sunday and Jesus Christ, who rose from the dead, defeated the grave and guaranteed eternal life to those who believe.