FLOSSI HAS A BOUNCE IN HER BONNET

The first documented Easter celebration dates back to the 2nd century AD. However, scholars believe that Christian communities may have been commemorating the resurrection of Jesus earlier, perhaps even in the 1st century.

Key milestones:

• Mid-2nd century (c. 150 AD): Church historian Melito of Sardis refers to the Paschal (Easter) celebration as an established Christian practice.

• Late 2nd century (c. 190 AD): Disputes arise over the date of Easter between Christians in Asia Minor (who celebrated it on the 14th of Nisan, the Jewish Passover) and those in Rome (who celebrated it on the following Sunday). This disagreement is known as the Quartodeciman controversy.

• 325 AD – Council of Nicaea: The date of Easter is standardized by the early church. The council decrees that Easter should be celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox, independent of the Jewish calendar.