The Old Testament Origin of Easter and Its New Meaning

For orthodox Christians, the feast of the Resurrection of the Lord is the main one in the year. It symbolizes the victory of the spirit over sin and death, love and goodness - over malice and cruelty.

The origin of Easter is the Old Testament. In the Jewish tradition pesah is marked by the slaughter of a lamb, which was eaten in memory of the times of exodus from Egypt. It is possible that this holiday existed even in the time of the home of Isaac, but finally acquired its significance after the Jews were expelled by Pharaoh and left their homes in a hurry. The Jews were saved, thanks to divine divine interventions, because the people could perish in a barren desert, persecuted by hordes of enemies, but this did not happen. The urgency of the flight was reflected in another Jewish holiday. Unleavened bread was celebrated the day after the Pesach. The meaning of this holiday was that the sons and daughters of Israel carried with them into exile the dough that had not yet risen.

Thus, the origin of Easter is associated with getting rid of painful bodily death and bondage. The Jews traditionally celebrated it in the family circle, at night, during the full moon at the spring equinox. The astronomical determination of the date of Easter enjoins us to mark it on the fourteenth day of the month Nisan, before the capture, called Aviv.

The pesah ritual changed over the course of centuries and acquired new features. After the introduction of Deuteronomy, he ceased to be a family man and began to be celebrated in the temple. The Lamb was slaughtered on the altar, and its blood was no longer covered by door jambs and canopies of tents, but by the altar. The main characters in the rite of the sacrifice are the Levites and the priests. Easter was the main holiday, in which all Jews were obliged to take part. Affirming the divine origin of the Passover, the Hebrew priests strengthened their position in public life and contributed to the formation of the statehood of Israel.

Christians around the world celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord as the day of their spiritual salvation. On Good Friday, Jesus, who gave the New Command to the world, was executed, and on the night of the Sabbath on the first day of the week he was resurrected. The sacrifice made by the Son of God became redemptive. As a holiday, Easter acquired a new meaning. Jesus took part in the Jewish rite of Pesach, which was called the Secret Supper. However, instead of the traditional glorification of Hallel, He utters very different words. Instead of a lamb, he offers to eat His flesh and blood. This was the first Eucharist. From this time on, the believers commune, bringing a bloodless sacrifice.

The Old Testament origin of Easter was also reflected in the symbols accompanying the church service. The body of Christ symbolizes bread, and His blood is wine. Instead of the expected Messiah, designed to save the Jewish people from suffering, a new Savior of all mankind came with the commandment "Love one another", and opposed vengeance (eye for eye) to forgiveness.

Saint Seraphim of Sarov greeted the people he met the whole year in the Paschal way: "Christ is risen, my joy!" So he made it clear that the Resurrection of the Lord is not momentary, it is eternal, and there is no end to it.