MEMORIES OF EASTER IN PARIS PAST

Why is it called Easter?

Despite its significance as a Christian holy day, my research has led me to learn that many of the traditions and symbols that play a key role in Easter observances actually have roots in pagan celebrations - particularly the pagan goddess Eostre and in the Jewish holiday of Passover. St. Bede the Venerable, the 6thcentury author of the “Ecclesiastical History of the English People”, maintains that the English word "Easter" comes from Eostre, or Eostrae, the AngloSaxon goddess of spring and fertility.

Easter growing up in the 1970s

Having two older siblings I always had a fairly good idea of what the 1950/60s were like Many of my much older brothers clothing and toys were already vintage by the time they were past along to me I also believe that my parents having met in the 1950s were keeping a lot of that era alive in our household. I always felt like I came from the 1950s even though it was the 1970s. I remember Easter being one of those very special times in our house so full of traditions and nostalgia even back them. From the knickknacks to the wooden toys Easter felt a lot like Christmas only on a smaller scale. At school we would give up chewing gum for lent, learn about Jesus last supper and we would re-enact the stations of the cross all the while dreaming about the long Easter weekend that would soon be here and the joy and excitement of Easter morning. The stores would be brightly decorated for the season and the confectionary stores would be loaded up with rows of giant chocolate eggs and Easter bunnies.