In the early morning darkness yesterday, worshippers participated in Easter Mass at St. Catherine Cemetery in Kealia. While many sat under tents, others spread out blankets or brought their own chairs for the pre-dawn service. As daylight crept closer, the
In the early morning darkness yesterday, worshippers participated in Easter Mass at St. Catherine Cemetery in Kealia.
While many sat under tents, others spread out blankets or brought their own chairs for the pre-dawn service.
As daylight crept closer, the Rev. Edgar Villaneuva said Easter is about joy and renewal — the most important religious feast in the Christian liturgical year; even though many put their main focus on Christmas, the day believed to be Jesus Christ’s birthday.
“Easter has less focus and fanfare than Christmas because no one saw Jesus rise from the tomb,” Villaneuva said. “But the proof of Jesus Christ rising is in each one of you here today.”
According to christianity.com, a for-profit organization, Easter is believed by Christians to be the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion around A.D. 33. In A.D. 325, the Council of Nicea decided to set aside a day to celebrate the resurrection, but couldn’t decide if Easter should fall on a weekday or a Sunday.
After much debate, the Council of Nicea decided Easter should be celebrated after the first full moon on or around
March 21, according to the Web site.
The first sunrise service was introduced to America in 1743 by Moravian immigrants, the site states.
In 1732, Moravian men went to their church cemetery at sunrise as a tribute to the women who discovered the empty tomb early Easter morning.
Though the tradition of Easter has come to be associated with Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies, yesterday’s sunrise Mass was all about fellowship and renewal. Enthusiastic greetings of “Happy Easter,” followed by handshakes, hugs and kisses.
“It’s a new day,” one parishioner said as the sun peeked through the clouds. “He has risen.”
