Originally, Passover and Easter were always observed at the same time -- naturally enough, since what Christians call the Last Supper is the meal Jesus knew as the Seder, which marks the beginning of Passover. So early Christians linked the observance of the death and resurrection of Jesus with Passover and maintained that it should be observed, like Passover, on the 14th day of the Jewish month of Nisan, regardless of the day of the week on which the date occurred. Later Christians insisted that Easter be observed on Sunday because the resurrection occurred on Sunday, and that the preceding Friday be observed as the date of the crucifixion. The Council of Nicea in 325 C.E. decreed that Easter should be observed on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox.

There are many differences between Passover and Easter, but there are also some parallel religious ideas.

• Both are festivals of redemption. Passover commemorates the redemption of a people; Easter commemorates the redemption of humanity and the resurrection of an individual.
• Both are associated with great personalities-Moses, leader of the Exodus and teacher of the Law; Jesus, who for Christians fulfilled the law.
• Both festivals contain elements of the miraculous. Passover involved the plagues and the crossing of the Sea of Reeds; Easter, the miracle of resurrection.
• Both festivals emphasize freedom-Passover, freedom from slavery in all its forms; Easter, freedom for the individual from the bondage of sin and death.
• Both festivals bring hope to humanity-Easter, through the death and resurrection of Jesus; Passover, through the triumph of a people over slavery and their emergence into freedom.

-- Adapted from an article by David J. Gelfand and our friends at the Union for Reformed Judaism Pagan roots

Easter comes near to the time of the spring equinox on 21 March, when the length of the day and night are equal. Throughout history, many ancient cultures have celebrated this as a time of birth and renewal, following the darkness of the long winter. Historians have traced the origin of the word Easter to the Scandinavian word 'Ostra' and the Germanic 'Ostern' or 'Eastre'. Both of these derive from the names of mythological goddesses of spring and fertility, for whom festivals were held at the time of the Spring Equinox. Similar goddesses were known by other names in other cultures around the Mediterranean, such as Aphrodite from Cyprus, Astarte from Phoenicia, Demeter from Mycenae, Hathor from Egypt, and Ishtar from Assyria. All of these goddesses were celebrated in the spring. Modern symbols of Easter, such as the egg and the bunny, have their origins in paganism. Rabbits were the most potent symbol of fertility and the egg, the start of all life, was often thought to have magical powers.

Modern-day pagans continue to celebrate the coming of spring as part of a seasonal cycle known as the 'wheel of the year'. Some pagans carry out rituals at this time, such as symbolically planting seeds, and holding egg races and egg hunts.

Pagan Legacies:

Hot cross buns- At the feast of Eostre, the Saxon fertility goddess, an ox, was sacrificed, and its crossed horns became a symbol of the season carved into the bread. The word “bun” derives from the Saxon word “boun” meaning “sacred ox”.

Easter lilies- It's believed that the lily, because of its shape, was associated with the reproductive organs, and therefore with fertility.

Easter candles- The pagans would light bonfires to welcome the rebirth of the sun God. Christians now celebrate the Easter Vigil service.

Easter Bunny- The symbols of the Norse goddess Ostara were the hare and the egg, both representing fertility. The earthly symbol for the goddess Eastre, goddess of the dawn, was also the rabbit, a symbol of new life. Historians believe the legend of the Easter Bunny originated in Germany before surfacing in the New World in the seventeenth century. Children believed the Easter Bunny would leave them coloured eggs if they were good, and left out their Easter bonnets and caps for the gifts.

Easter eggs- The egg has been a symbol of rebirth and fertility for many centuries. Long before Christianity was introduced, eggs were painted with bright colours to celebrate the sunlight of spring. There's ancient evidence of egg rolling and egg-tossing contests as well as egg gift-giving. In pagan times the egg was believed to have special powers. It was buried under the foundations of buildings to ward off evil, and brides stepped upon an egg before crossing the threshold of their new home. To be given an egg was to wish many children upon the recipient. Decorating and colouring eggs was a popular custom in the middle ages, and throughout Europe different cultures have evolved their own styles and colours. In Greece, crimson-coloured eggs are exchanged, whereas in Eastern Europe and Russia silver and gold decorations are common, and Austrian eggs often have plant and fern designs. The first of the highly wrought Fabergé eggs was made as an Easter gift for the Empress Marie of Russia from her husband, Tsar Alexander, in 1883. It featured a small gold egg in an outside shell of platinum and enamel.