"Resurrection Sunday" instead of Easter?

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What’s the deal with some non-Catholic churches calling Easter “Resurrection Sunday”? I don’t get it. :confused:
they don’t have a problem with using the word Sunday which acknowledges the pagan sun god but they have a problem with Easter? weird.
 
What’s the deal with some non-Catholic churches calling Easter “Resurrection Sunday”? I don’t get it. :confused:
As most of my siblings have left the Church over the years, it is my observation through them that calling Easter, “Resurrection Sunday” is merely another ploy to further separate themselves from the Catholic Church.

A couple of years ago, I overheard a conversation between my older sister and another family member about how she refuses to follow a Catholic perversion of calling the day of our Lord’s resurrection by a word that has its origins in the name for the Babylonia goddess of fertility, “Ishtar”. I explained to her that this was utter nonsense proliferated by nonsense such as Alexander Hislop’s anti-Catholic treatise, “The Two Babylons”.

The abandonment of the word, "Easter" by many Protestants is based on the
false**** notion that it is based on the Sumerian goddess Ishtar or the Teutonic goddess Eostre or Astarte. This is a falsehood that began with the book, The Two Babylons” by Alexander Hislop (the Jack Chick of the 1800’s) in the mid-19th century. This book has been heavily debunked over the years by Protestants and Catholics alike, most notably by Ralph Woodrow****, a former Hislop advocate turned critic. ******

Very briefly, the German word Ostern**, which means Easter, is a cognate of Ost *(east, or rising of the sun), and pools from the older Teutonic forms of ****erster *(first), ****stehen *(stand), which then became erstehen (resurrection - older form)**, and which in turn became auferstehen (resurrection - current form). Thus, ESTER in English, which later morphed into EASTER, became the equivalent of OSTER which morphed into OSTERN in German.*** **

Neither word was attached in any way to a pagan goddess, and as Hislop admitted**:**** "The name Easter is peculiar to the British Islands." **

**In fact, the brilliant Protestant Scholar, William Tyndale was first to incorporate Easter in an English bible and he also coined the word Passover. **

"Our word EASTER is of Saxon origin and of precisely the same import with its German cognate OSTERN. The latter is derived from the old Teutonic form of auferstehen / auferstehung, that is - RESURRECTION."****
- Reverend** C.F. Cruse** (1794-1864)**
 
they don’t have a problem with using the word Sunday which acknowledges the pagan sun god but they have a problem with Easter? weird.
Actually, my personal preference is for the Russian word for Sunday, voskresen’ye, derive from the Russian word for…wait for it…“resurrection.”

:D:p

DaveBj
 
they don’t have a problem with using the word Sunday which acknowledges the pagan sun god but they have a problem with Easter? weird.
Exactly. And not only that, but some of these “non-Catholic” churches are the very same ones who are CLOSED on Christmas Day when it falls on a Sunday (which happened a few years ago and will happen again this year, in 2011.) If a church is concerned enough to so Christian they have to rename Easter “Resurrection Sunday,” one would logically think they would be OPEN on Christmas Day, which is a Sunday this year. **I look forward to a “What Churches Are Closed Christmas Day?” thread this year.
**
FWIW, I don’t recall ever being at an Easter Mass where the word “resurrection” wasn’t used. A lot. As in all through the mass. You would seriously have to be Twittering from the pew to not hear the word “resurrection.” **Not once - ever - have I heard a priest mention the Easter Bunny from the pulpit. **
 
My bad, I kind of assumed that all Protestants would do something on Good Friday. What kinds of Protestant churches don’t do that?

I think there’s a lot to be said for what Catholics do with Lent, btw- I think Protestants could solve a lot of their own problems in this area by taking the initiative of following a Catholic example or two. My home church has done a Stations of the Cross type of thing in the past, but that was largely inspired by a nearby Protestant church that did something similar. In my experience, it’s pretty rare for Protestants to actually follow the CC’s example on anything.

I guess the “Resurrection Sunday” thing is something that could work to some extent, but there’s so much more that can be done if you (and by you, I mean we) just decide to do it. If I had a hand in deciding how things happen (which I don’t this year but I probably will next year), I’d probably start with a Seder that connects Passover to the Last Supper (though that’s not really a Catholic thing), I’d look into doing something with at least one of the Sundays besides Palm Sunday and Easter, I think I’d lobby for a voluntary day of fasting, and maybe introduce something like the Stations. I know that wouldn’t make me a good Catholic since I’d just be picking and choosing what I think is valuable, but…hey, you know, I do think a lot of it is quite valuable. I definitely don’t want to trash Lent as a whole, either- the overall product is quite impressive, to say the least.

I’m sorry that you missed out on that much at your former church. I’m glad you’re getting more of a full experience right now, and I hope your old church realized its shortcomings at some point and took steps to correct it. If not…sad for them and anyone still going there.
I grew up in the Church Of God of Prophechy and as far as i know they haven’t changed anything.
 
That’s why I always find it a hoot when churches (mainly Protestant) schedule an “Easter egg hunt” on church property on Easter morn. I doubt most are aware of its Pagan origin or even care to know.
The word “Easter” is actually a word rooted in the name either of an alleged Teutonic goddess (Eostre) or, more probably, from the name “Eostur” meaning the “season of rising” and indicating springtime.** It is only used in the English language.** It came into use because the month of April was known in Anglo-Saxon countries as easter-monadh, and Eastur became an old Germanic word meaning springtime. Other languages have different names for Easter – “Pascha” (Latin and Greek), “Pasqua” (Italian), “Pascua” (Spanish), “Paschen” (Dutch), “Pasg” (Welsh), etc. – all of which derives from the Hebrew word פסח (“Pesach”) meaning “Passover.” The point is that the claim that “Easter is a pagan holiday” because of the word “Easter” is ridiculous. The English word for it might have pagan origins deriving from Eostre and/or the word for springtime, but the Solemnity is rooted in the Old Testament Pesach which was fulfilled at the Crucifixion which gave us the fruits of the Resurrection. In addition, all the names for the days of the week are “pagan” in origin, too. Sunday is named for the Sun; Monday for the Moon; Tuesday for god Tiu, Wednesday for Woden, Thursday for Thor, Friday for Freya, and Saturday for Saturn, so anyone who balks at celebrating “Easter” because of its “pagan origins” had better not refer to the days of the week by their English names!

Oremus pro invicem
 
The word “Easter” is actually a word rooted in the name either of an alleged Teutonic goddess (Eostre) or, more probably, from the name “Eostur” meaning the “season of rising” and indicating springtime.** It is only used in the English language.** It came into use because the month of April was known in Anglo-Saxon countries as easter-monadh, and Eastur became an old Germanic word meaning springtime. Other languages have different names for Easter – “Pascha” (Latin and Greek), “Pasqua” (Italian), “Pascua” (Spanish), “Paschen” (Dutch), “Pasg” (Welsh), etc. – all of which derives from the Hebrew word פסח (“Pesach”) meaning “Passover.” The point is that the claim that “Easter is a pagan holiday” because of the word “Easter” is ridiculous. The English word for it might have pagan origins deriving from Eostre and/or the word for springtime, but the Solemnity is rooted in the Old Testament Pesach which was fulfilled at the Crucifixion which gave us the fruits of the Resurrection. In addition, all the names for the days of the week are “pagan” in origin, too. Sunday is named for the Sun; Monday for the Moon; Tuesday for god Tiu, Wednesday for Woden, Thursday for Thor, Friday for Freya, and Saturday for Saturn, so anyone who balks at celebrating “Easter” because of its “pagan origins” had better not refer to the days of the week by their English names!

Oremus pro invicem
The association of Easter with paganism finds it origin in Venerable Bede’s writing. His etymololy, however, has found absolutely zero support from any other source.
 
I know of some churches, non-denominational, that are trying to implement a Lenten season in their churches. I know that several churches in my area have attempted Thursday or Friday night services. Many are making honest efforts to practice the importance of the Catholic traditions of this season. Does that not allow some consideration for the leaderships of some groups at least trying to instill this devotion into their congregations? Many of these are the same churches seeking to call it Resurrection Sunday.

Regarding “Resurrection Sunday”, as someone posted earlier, many evangelicals do not like the commercial part that bunnies and eggs play in taking the idea of the resurrection (or Jesus at all for that matter) out of the marketplace. This is true. As far as I know, I have never heard anyone disrespect those Christians who choose to call it Easter.

It is an honest, sincere attempt to enter Jesus’ reality back into a nation which in the last fifty years or so has become very post-Christian. Sure, it may be easy to ridicule these efforts, possibly point out that ALL days are named after pagan gods (along with May and June), but please consider this. Is it so wrong to try to get the ressurection of our Lord and Savior into the minds of people who may have never considered the Gospel message. No one is trying to ignore “Good Friday” or Jesus’ suffering. Many of the same churches that call it Resurrection Sunday are constantly preaching about the blood atonement and wondering why some groups appear to be ashamed of the Blood of Christ.

I am not trying to offend any one’s beliefs or feelings about this matter. I try to be verry open minded. I would just ask that those of you, who may not feel it necessary, understand that they are just trying to lift up the Resurrection in the public forum in a hope that some will question and investigate its meaning. I think we can all agree that there is hardly anything wrong with that.
 
I know of some churches, non-denominational, that are trying to implement a Lenten season in their churches. I know that several churches in my area have attempted Thursday or Friday night services. Many are making honest efforts to practice the importance of the Catholic traditions of this season. Does that not allow some consideration for the leaderships of some groups at least trying to instill this devotion into their congregations? Many of these are the same churches seeking to call it Resurrection Sunday.

Regarding “Resurrection Sunday”, as someone posted earlier, many evangelicals do not like the commercial part that bunnies and eggs play in taking the idea of the resurrection (or Jesus at all for that matter) out of the marketplace. This is true. As far as I know, I have never heard anyone disrespect those Christians who choose to call it Easter.

It is an honest, sincere attempt to enter Jesus’ reality back into a nation which in the last fifty years or so has become very post-Christian. Sure, it may be easy to ridicule these efforts, possibly point out that ALL days are named after pagan gods (along with May and June), but please consider this. Is it so wrong to try to get the ressurection of our Lord and Savior into the minds of people who may have never considered the Gospel message. No one is trying to ignore “Good Friday” or Jesus’ suffering. Many of the same churches that call it Resurrection Sunday are constantly preaching about the blood atonement and wondering why some groups appear to be ashamed of the Blood of Christ.

I am not trying to offend any one’s beliefs or feelings about this matter. I try to be verry open minded. I would just ask that those of you, who may not feel it necessary, understand that they are just trying to lift up the Resurrection in the public forum in a hope that some will question and investigate its meaning. I think we can all agree that there is hardly anything wrong with that.
I believe you and I believe that your motives are sincere. However - coming from a family in which most have left the Catholic Church (mostly because of personal ignorance) - their motives are anti-Catholic in nature. They buy into the all of the Catholic/Pagan rubbish - and they proliferate it.

I know many other extended family members and friends who espouse this garbage as well. I’ve also read much on the subject, as I write apologetics materials for my parish. Their motives are more of rebellion than yours, which appear to be sincere. I hear them on the radio and on TV.


I hope that you can see that there IS a difference between those who are sincere and those who will do anything to rebel against the Church - and they are out there.**

God bless.
 
I believe you and I believe that your motives are sincere. However - coming from a family in which most have left the Catholic Church (mostly because of personal ignorance) - their motives are anti-Catholic in nature. They buy into the all of the Catholic/Pagan rubbish - and they proliferate it.

I know many other extended family members and friends who espouse this garbage as well. I’ve also read much on the subject, as I write apologetics materials for my parish. Their motives are more of rebellion than yours, which appear to be sincere. I hear them on the radio and on TV.

I hope that you can see that there IS** a difference between those who are sincere and those who will do anything to rebel against the Church - and they are out there.

God bless.
I understand what you are saying. This is the unfortunate thing about “forum world”, it is so hard to separate those who are sincere, those who wish to lovingly disagree, and those who are willing to fight anything. When I was younger, I was of the third category on this issue. While attending a KJV only church, I found the word “Easter” (Acts 12:4) referring of course to Passover. :eek: Paganism in the KJV!

In my experience, I have talked to many who think Catholicism has this season right and non-Catholics have missed out on the sanctity this season can bring. I have read many of your posts and I believe we have replied to each other before. I appreciate the grace to which you always bring to the discussion.

There really are some of us who believe Matthew 5:9!

Thank you for your blessings.
 
I understand what you are saying. This is the unfortunate thing about “forum world”, it is so hard to separate those who are sincere, those who wish to lovingly disagree, and those who are willing to fight anything. When I was younger, I was of the third category on this issue. While attending a KJV only church, I found the word “Easter” (Acts 12:4) referring of course to Passover. :eek: Paganism in the KJV!

In my experience, I have talked to many who think Catholicism has this season right and non-Catholics have missed out on the sanctity this season can bring. I have read many of your posts and I believe we have replied to each other before. I appreciate the grace to which you always bring to the discussion.

There really are some of us who believe Matthew 5:9!

Thank you for your blessings.
Thank you for the kind words.:tiphat:

**Here is an interesting fact that I brought up to my anti-Catholic sister: **
It was actually the Protestant Reformer, William Tyndale who first used the word Easter in his English translation of the Bible in the 16th century. In fact, his English translation is the first to use both Easter and Passover.
This was not a “Catholic invention” . . .
 
Thank you for the kind words.:tiphat:

**Here is an interesting fact that I brought up to my anti-Catholic sister: **
It was actually the Protestant Reformer, William Tyndale who first used the word Easter in his English translation of the Bible in the 16th century. In fact, his English translation is the first to use both Easter and Passover.
This was not a “Catholic invention” . . .
Very interesting. I will remember that for my discussions with my non-Catholic friends. There are many erroneous teachings I have discovered as God softened my heart and opened my eyes to what Catholicism truly teaches. I am not Catholic, although I do enjoy going to mass from time to time.

I only wish more positive opened hearted dialogue could take place. We may never totally agree, but we can find common ground to go further in other matters.

Sorry, way off topic.

God Bless.
 
Is Resurrection Sunday theologically correct? Isn’t that what we celebrate every Sunday?
 
Here in Costa Rica, and I think throughout the Hispanic world, Semana Santa (Holy Week) is THE major event of the Catholic liturgical year. Thursday and Friday are officially holidays with almost all things closed. The week culminates in: Domingo de Pascua de la Resurreccion del Senor (Pascal (Easter) Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord). And commonly it is referred as (in the Spanish equivalent) Resurrection Sunday. The word “Pascua” is taken from the Hebrew word “Pesach,” meaning Passover, and there is a close connection historically between Passover and the Resurrection. So, in my book, Resurrection Sunday is very appropriate! In any language!! “Easter” has its roots in German and was sort of a sop to pagan customs, coming down from an ancient Germanic word relating to spring festival.
 
Here in Costa Rica, and I think throughout the Hispanic world, Semana Santa (Holy Week) is THE major event of the Catholic liturgical year. Thursday and Friday are officially holidays with almost all things closed. The week culminates in: Domingo de Pascua de la Resurreccion del Senor (Pascal (Easter) Sunday of the Resurrection of the Lord). And commonly it is referred as (in the Spanish equivalent) Resurrection Sunday. The word “Pascua” is taken from the Hebrew word “Pesach,” meaning Passover, and there is a close connection historically between Passover and the Resurrection. So, in my book, Resurrection Sunday is very appropriate! In any language!! “Easter” has its roots in German and was sort of a sop to pagan customs, coming down from an ancient Germanic word relating to spring festival.
Well, Easter is the Feast of Feasts throughout the Church. If not for Easter we won’t be Catholics.
 
The term for Easter in Ukrainian is “Velykden”, or “Great Day”.
 
It is a surprising for me to see that person who started this question and most of the posters who followed are immensely ignorant of this particular detail of their faith.

According to all the official books of the Church from the earliest centuries the real name of Easter is in fact “DOMINICA RESURRECTIONIS” (SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION) and sometimes I see also “In die Sancto Pasche” (In the day of Holy Pascha)

the season itself is referred to as “TEMPORE PASCHALE” (PASCHALTIDE)

I am as traditional a Catholic as they come…this is not my opinion, it is the Our faith.
In fact the entrance chant for the mass of Ressurection Sunday begins “Ressurrexi, et adhuc tecum sum, alleluia”. The word “Ressurection” is everywhere, the word “Easter”, except in secular writings, is nowhere.

I don’t want anyone here to be embarrassed by this.
Everyone is limited, it doesn’t mean we are not still full of holiness.

Please don’t bash the protestants for something that is our own tradition.
It is silly.

I would add that amongst the Byzantine and other Eastern Catholic and Orthodox Churches these same exact names are used for this feasts of all feasts. Many of the chants and hymns between east and west are strinkingly similar for this day as well.
 
It always amuses me and frustrates me that our church (I am a catholic) hangs on to dates that are associated with festivities totally unrelated (time wise) to the actual events in the Bible. Easter and Christmas being good examples. Why cannot they powers that be be a little more realsitic in this day and age. :confused:
 
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