Since we know that the origins of 'Easter' are from a pagan word, and that 'Pascha' means Passover (thus being the appropriate word for the feast of the Resurrection as well as the word used in all other languages), does anyone here know if there is any movement or trend in other Christian faith traditions here in the United States to use the word 'Pascha/Pesach/Passover, etc.' instead of Easter'?
In at least one of Martin Luther's sermons he laments the lack of an appropriate word in the German language for translating
Pascha. Since the English language has strong Germanic roots the same problems exist.
In 1978 the coalition publishing the
Lutheran Book of Worship titled the Feast of feasts "The Resurrection of Our Lord: Easter Day"--as step away from merely "Easter"; although the succeeding Sundays were titled "Sundays of Easter" (I prefer the old English term "Eastertide", although "Paschaltide would be best!).
For well over a decade I have titled the booklet mailed to the parish containing all of the Lent and Holy Week materials "Pasch".
Dear Pastor Thomas,
Thank you so much for your kind, interesting, and considerate post. :-)
Ofcourse I use the word 'Easter' most of the time, but within our parish boundaries, we are all being encouraged to not use it.
I like the 'Resurrection of our Lord-Easter day' from the Lutheran book of worship!
It is ofcourse just that-- and it is a nice way of being reminded of it in our culture which emphasizes chocolate bunnies way too much for the holy day!
(...and before anyone gets snarky with me, I love chocolate bunnies, and looked forward to the Easter bunny's goodies just like any other American child!)
Respectfully,
Alice
