What does EGW write about...
Ellen Gould White über: "Origin and customs of Easter"
Answer
The origin of the Easter festival lies in the early church of the second century, when Christians began to celebrate the anniversary of Christ's death and resurrection. While the communities in Asia Minor observed this day simultaneously with the Jewish Passover on the 14th day of the first month, the western churches moved the celebration of the resurrection to the following Sunday. Through the Council of Nicaea, under the influence of Emperor Constantine, the Roman practice of celebrating Easter uniformly on a Sunday was made binding church‑wide.
The dispute over the date of Easter
»The bishops of Rome began very early to demand obedience from all churches. The dispute between the Eastern and Western churches regarding Easter is a fitting illustration of this. This dispute arose in the second century. ... The Christians in Asia Minor kept this feast on the fourteenth day of the first Jewish month, when the Jews celebrated their Passover ... The western churches, however, celebrated the resurrection of Christ on the Sunday after the Jewish Passover.«
Introduction by imperial decree
»The Council of Nicaea ordered, "as a favor to Constantine the Great, that the celebration of Easter everywhere be observed on the same day, according to the custom of Rome." This decree, "backed by the authority of such a great emperor," was decisive.«
Mixing with pagan customs
»Almost imperceptibly, the customs of paganism found their way into the Christian church. The spirit of compromise and adaptation was held back for a time by the severe persecutions ... But when the persecution ceased ... it abandoned the humble simplicity of Christ and his apostles for the pomp and pride of pagan priests and rulers; and instead of God's requirements, it imposed human theories and traditions.«
Easter and the elevation of Sunday
»In order to direct the people's attention to Sunday, it was made a feast in honor of Christ's resurrection. Services were held on it; nevertheless it was regarded as a day of rest, while the Sabbath continued to be kept holy.«
From Passover to the Lord's Supper
»On the fourteenth day of the month, in the evening, the Passover was celebrated ... When the Redeemer gave His life on Golgotha, the significance of the Passover ceased, and the ordinance of the Lord's Supper was instituted as a remembrance of the same event, of which the Passover had been a type.«
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