Happy Easter!

@Noflaps said in #2:

...
And I hope, someday, to be able to fly the lovely skies of New Zealand.

Yes, New Zealand is very beautiful, welcome anytime.

@Noflaps said in #2:

Thank you, @AaronNZ. I hope you have children or at least teach.

It surprises me that Christianity routinely picks up detractors ... and I have to wonder: have they actually looked into its tenets?

Of course some may respond: "noflaps, have YOU?"

I hope so. Life is complicated, and I try to evaluate it from a systemic standpoint. But it's hard to live up to an example as splendid as Jesus provided.

I thank AaronNZ for celebrating, nevertheless. It's a wise move.

And I hope, someday, to be able to fly the lovely skies of New Zealand.

If you’re going to New Zealand, then you should absolutely see Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu hill.

@AaronNZ said in #11:

Yes, New Zealand is very beautiful, welcome anytime.
Yes and I am from New Zealand

@AaronNZ said in #1:

Wishing everyone a joyful and blessed Easter! May your day be filled with peace, happiness, and the warmth of loved ones
Thanks @AaronNZ, I am actually enjoying my holidays in Portugal, the beaches here are VERY beautiful!!

Happy Easter!!!
Have fun hunting chocolate eggs for children and have fun enjoying the holidays for everyone!

Easter is one of the most significant and celebrated holidays in the Christian faith. It marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, which, according to the Bible, happened three days after His crucifixion. This moment is central to Christian belief because it proves Jesus' divine nature and the promise of eternal life for those who follow Him. Christians believe that Jesus' resurrection shows that death isn’t the end and offers hope for salvation. Easter is more than just a holiday—it represents the victory of life over death, good over evil, and hope over despair. It’s a celebration of renewal and rebirth, not just for Jesus, but spiritually for every believer. The date of Easter changes every year, which sometimes confuses people. It is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. This means that Easter can fall anytime between March 22 and April 25. Because of this, the exact date varies from year to year, and different Christian groups sometimes celebrate it on slightly different dates, especially between Western Christianity (like Catholics and Protestants) and Eastern Orthodox Christianity. The way the date is set is tied to both the lunar calendar and old church traditions, going back centuries. Leading up to Easter is a time called Holy Week, which is packed with meaningful events and traditions. It starts with Palm Sunday, which remembers Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when crowds welcomed Him by waving palm branches. Then comes Maundy Thursday, the day of the Last Supper, where Jesus shared bread and wine with His disciples and taught them about humility and service. The next day is Good Friday, the day of Jesus’ crucifixion. Although it’s a sad day, Christians call it “good” because of what Jesus' death means for salvation. Holy Week is a time for prayer, reflection, and preparing spiritually for Easter Sunday. The resurrection of Jesus is what makes Easter so powerful and unique. According to the New Testament, after Jesus was crucified and buried in a tomb, He rose from the dead on the third day. His disciples discovered the empty tomb and were visited by angels who told them that Jesus was alive. Later, Jesus appeared to His followers in person. This miracle showed that Jesus had power over death, confirming everything He taught. It’s considered the greatest miracle in Christianity, and it’s what gives Easter its joyful and triumphant tone. It's not just a story — for Christians, it’s a real event that changes everything. Churches around the world celebrate Easter in many ways. On Easter Sunday, churches are usually packed with people attending sunrise services or special morning masses. These services often include music, scripture readings, and sermons about the resurrection. Churches are decorated with flowers, especially lilies, which symbolize purity and new life. Some churches even hold dramatic plays or reenactments of the Easter story, helping people visualize what happened. For many Christians, Easter is also a time to get baptized or renew their commitment to their faith, making it one of the most important days on the church calendar. Outside of religious services, Easter is filled with fun traditions, especially for kids. One of the most famous is the Easter egg hunt. People hide colorful eggs (real or plastic) filled with candy, toys, or even money, and kids search for them in backyards, parks, or churchyards. This tradition has roots in ancient spring festivals that celebrated new life and fertility. The egg is a symbol of new life breaking out of the shell, just like Jesus breaking out of the tomb. Decorating eggs is another common activity, and many families enjoy it as a creative and festive way to get into the spirit of Easter. Another fun tradition is the Easter Bunny. Just like Santa Claus is connected to Christmas, the Easter Bunny is a big part of Easter celebrations, especially in the U.S. and Europe. The idea likely came from old pagan symbols of fertility and spring, as rabbits are known for having lots of babies. Over time, this evolved into the story of a magical bunny who delivers eggs, candy, and gifts to children on Easter morning. While it’s not a religious tradition, it adds a fun and playful part to the holiday, especially for younger kids who look forward to baskets filled with treats. Food also plays a big role in Easter. After Lent, for 40 days when many Christians give up certain foods or habits, Easter is a time of feasting and celebration. Traditional Easter meals vary around the world but often include ham, lamb, roasted vegetables, and special breads. In Italy, people bake a dove-shaped cake called Colomba Pasquale, while in Greece, families enjoy lamb and a sweet bread called tsoureki. In the U.S., many families come together for a big Easter brunch or dinner, filled with good food and laughter. It’s a day where people not only celebrate spiritually but also enjoy being together with the ones they love. Different countries and cultures have their unique ways of celebrating Easter. In Spain and many Latin American countries, there are processions and parades with people dressed in traditional robes and carrying statues of Jesus and Mary. In the Philippines, some communities reenact the entire Passion of Christ with real people playing the roles. In Poland, people take baskets of food to church to be blessed. In Ethiopia, Easter is called Fasika, and it’s one of the biggest religious celebrations of the year, often preceded by fasting and long worship services. No matter where it’s celebrated, the core message of Easter remains the same: hope, rebirth, and joy. At its heart, Easter is a message of hope. It’s about starting over, rising from hardship, and believing that new life is possible. Whether someone is deeply religious or not, the story of Easter can be inspiring—it reminds us that even when things seem dark, light can still return. In nature, spring mirrors that message perfectly: flowers bloom, animals return, and the world feels alive again. Easter invites everyone to think about second chances, fresh starts, and what matters. It’s more than just candy and eggs—it’s a powerful reminder that good things can come after even the hardest times.

"igor get back on potato field, easter means you work 2x harder (with 2x less pay)"

• my boss :'(

Hope your Easter is filled with happiness!

RIP Pope Francis

#16
TL ; DR