In pre-Christian times in northern Europe, Easter was celebrated around the spring equinox which ushered in a period of renewal, fecundity of the earth, and fertility that was represented by the Germanic pagan goddess, Ostara or Eostre. Saint Bede, in his work de temporum ratione, writes of the original name that the English people gave to the Paschal month, which was Eosturmonath or month of the goddess Eostre. Today, Easter is of course more commonly celebrated as the day of Christ’s resurrection.
In Catholic Church liturgy during the Easter Vigil, one of the primary liturgical action is that of the Paschal candle which once it is lit by the blessed fire, is thrice submerged into the baptismal water font symbolic of Christ rising out from darkness of death. In his paschal homily, Saint Hippolytus preaches:
“Now the holy rays of the light of Christ shine forth, the pure stars of the pure Spirit rise, the heavenly treasures of glory and divinity lie open. In this splendor the long dark night has been swallowed up and the dreary shadows of death have vanished. Life is offered everyone; the whole world is filled with glory. A heavenly light more brilliant than all others sheds its radiance everywhere, and he who was begotten before the morning star and all the stars of heaven, Christ, might and immortal, shines upon all creatures more brightly than the sun.”
From this Paschal light blazing in the dark, we are to see our own lives lit up by Christ who died, was buried, and rose from the dead and who now shines in radiant glory.
In Catholic Church liturgy during the Easter Vigil, one of the primary liturgical action is that of the Paschal candle which once it is lit by the blessed fire, is thrice submerged into the baptismal water font symbolic of Christ rising out from darkness of death. In his paschal homily, Saint Hippolytus preaches:
“Now the holy rays of the light of Christ shine forth, the pure stars of the pure Spirit rise, the heavenly treasures of glory and divinity lie open. In this splendor the long dark night has been swallowed up and the dreary shadows of death have vanished. Life is offered everyone; the whole world is filled with glory. A heavenly light more brilliant than all others sheds its radiance everywhere, and he who was begotten before the morning star and all the stars of heaven, Christ, might and immortal, shines upon all creatures more brightly than the sun.”
From this Paschal light blazing in the dark, we are to see our own lives lit up by Christ who died, was buried, and rose from the dead and who now shines in radiant glory.
