Monday, April 5, 2010

CHRISTIANS WORLDWIDE CELEBRATE EASTER

CHRIST'S RESURRECTION MARKS
RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY CELEBRATION
JERUSALEM - Yesterday, millions of Christians worldwide were celebrating Easter Sunday, the most important day of these Christian holidays. It is celebrated the resurrection of Jesus, which his followers believe occurred on the third day after his death by crucifixion some time around A.D. 30. This year, Christianity's main branches - Protestantism, Catholicism, and Eastern Orthodoxy - celebrate Easter on the same day. That only happens about once every two or three years, depending on a complex calculation derived from different calendars used by the Western and Eastern churches. Easter celebrations in Jerusalem began with a sunrise service at the Garden Tomb, as pilgrims from around the world sang hymns of the resurrection. The garden and ancient tomb carved into a rock are reminiscent of biblical accounts of the place where Jesus was buried. The faithful faced the empty tomb and proclaimed, "The Lord is raised!"

A mass was celebrated at the Jerusalem's cavernous Church of the Holy Sepulchre, believed to be the site where Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead. Fragrant incense rose above the ancient, stone tomb of Jesus into a golden rotunda. It depicts a burst of light, symbolizing the glory of the resurrection. Incense filled the air as Western and Orthodox pilgrims packed into the labyrinthine maze of chapels and crypts lit by thousands of candles as services were held at the grotto where Jesus is believed to have risen from the dead. Women in shawls knelt to kiss the stone where Jesus's body is believed to have been prepared for burial as bearded monks in long black robes watched over visitors making their way through Christianity's holiest site.


For millions of Christians, Easter celebrates the day when Jesus Christ, by His love and sacrifice, could conquer death. Jesus showed us the way to escape from this world and have everlasting life. In other words, He taught how to transcend the material existence and attain the state beyond all miseries.


WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US?
So Caitanya Mahāprabhu says that I am servant of the servant of the servant of the servant of the servant of Krishna. so if one loves Krishna, he must love Lord Jesus also. And if one perfectly loves Jesus he must love Krishna too. If he says, “Why shall I love Krishna? I shall love Jesus,” then he has no knowledge. And if one says, “Why shall I love Jesus? I shall love Krishna”, then he has no knowledge either. If one understands Krishna, then he will understand Jesus. If one understands Jesus, you'll understand Krishna too.


Śrīla A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda :
“Room conversation with Allen Ginsberg”
May 12, 1969 - Columbus - Ohio
Srila Prabhupada's works 2.0
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