Easter is a Christian holiday that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus, but the origin of its English name has not been definitively agreed upon. However, many scholars suggest that it may be derived from words related to ancient Germanic spring festivals, particularly from the name of a goddess symbolizing spring and dawn, such as Eostre or Ostara. They believe that Christianity later incorporated existing local spring festival customs and combined them with the commemoration of the resurrection, forming the modern tradition of Easter.

* Britannica — explains that Easter is the Christian festival of Jesus Christ’s Resurrection, and that the English word’s origin is uncertain; it also notes the view that it may derive from Eostre, an Anglo-Saxon goddess.

* Encyclopaedia Britannica (Why is Easter called Easter?) — says there is now widespread consensus that the word may come from the Christian term in albis and the Old High German form eostarum.

* Oxford University Press blog — states that the origin of Easter is the Jewish Passover (Pesach / Pascha), and that the name “Easter” was transferred from a Germanic festival.

* Canada.ca / Government of Canada — cites Bede’s De Temporum Ratione and the theory that Eosturmonath was named for the goddess Eostre.

Easter is derived from the name of a spring goddess of pagan peoples and is not biblical at all.

The World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG) observes the Resurrection Day by following the teachings of Jesus.

Which should we observe, Easter or the Resurrection Day? Please watch the following video to learn about the true nature of Easter.