Easter ~ and sun worship

One doesn't have to search very deeply in order to discover the true meaning behind so many symbols employed in the worship and ceremonies of the Roman Catholic Church.  Take, for example, the object in the above image which shows Pope Francis holding (and adoring) what appears like ~ and, in fact, it is intended as ~ a symbol of the sun.

The sun-symbol object which Pope Francis is holding, above, is called a "monstrance."  The center of the monstrance is a receptacle in which is placed the round wafer which Catholics call the "host."  The "host" is supposed, by Catholics, to be transformed into the literal body of Christ, by the priest's invocation.  Thus, the "host" in the "monstrance" is claimed, by the Catholic Church, to be the literal body of Christ.  All Catholics are required to worship the host and to demonstrate their veneration of the host either by kneeling or by making the "sign of the cross," when in the presence of the monstrance.

Above, is a photo of St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.  The large circular area is the "square."  The periphery of the giant circle is lined with columns each of which is topped by a statue ~ all of which has the effect to imitate rays of the sun emanating from the solar disk.  At the center stands a massive obelisk that was brought from Egypt to Rome.  The whole arrangement of St. Peter's Square is a kind of giant sundial; but more than that.  Surrounding the obelisk, which serves as the needle of the sundial, there are in the pavement twelve inlaid tiles representing the Zodiacal signs (source, here).

Both the monstrance as well as the design of St. Peter's Square ~ together with a great many other symbols and facts of history, all suggest that the god who is thus worshiped, by Catholics, is represented symbolically by the SUN.  The ancient, pagan Roman priests called that god, "Mithra" ~ the "god of light."  Modern-day Roman priests call him "Lucifer" ~ which name means "light bringer."  But don't just take my word for it.  Here are a few links to sites which go into much greater detail (here, here, and here).  At an even deeper level, there is a wealth of evidence to suggest that most if not all members of the hierarchy of the Catholic Church actually worship Lucifer (see, here).

There has been a lot of debate involving the origins and meaning of the name "Easter."  But most of that debate is a distraction from the truly important issue related to Easter.  The Bible makes a distinction between "Easter" and "passover" (which I will discuss in more detail, below).  With that singular exception, the etymology (origins) of the word Easter is otherwise not all that important.  Rather, what is important is to understand how it was that the celebration of Christ's resurrection came to be associated with ~ sun worship.

 Have you ever wondered why it is that Easter never occurs on the same calendar date, from year to year?  Every other event in history ~ for instance, one's birthday ~ is identified with a specific day of a certain month and that never changes.  The Declaration of Independence, for another example, was formally approved by Congress on July 4, 1776.  That is why we celebrate America's independence ~ not on June 20 of this year, and on July 9 of next year, and June 25 of the year after that; but the "Fourth of July" is always celebrated on the fourth day of the month of July.

We know with perfect certainty on what day and in which month Jesus Christ was crucified: he was crucified on "passover;" which, on the Jewish calendar, always occurs on the same day, year after year.  Passover never changes.  But Easter changes every year.  Why does Easter change from year to year?

It is because that Easter is connected ~ not with anything having to do with Christ but, rather, Easter was ordained (by the ancient Roman Catholic Church) to be observed, "on the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the Spring equinox."  In other words, Easter is explicitly connected with solar events; Easter is a central part of sun worship.

And who was it that decided when Easter is to be celebrated?  The following is from Wikipedia:

"The First Council of Nicaea was...convened...by the Roman Emperor Constantine I in AD 325. Constantine I organized the Council...and presided over it, but did not cast any official vote.... Hosius of Cordoba, who was probably one of the Papal legates, may have presided over its deliberations.... Its main accomplishments were...establishing uniform observance of the date of Easter, and promulgation of early canon law."  (source, here)

History reveals that the Roman Emperor Constantine I worshiped the sun-god Mithra, until the end of his (Constantine's) life.   Constantine convened and presided over the "Council of Nicea"; moreover, the deliberations of that council were presided over by "one of the Papal legates."  Among the main accomplishments of that council was the the establishment of the procedure by which the observance of Easter would henceforth be determined from year to year.  The outcome could not have been any different than it was.  No one on that council was about to go against the wishes of the Emperor or of one of the "Papal legates" (the Pope's representatives).

I earlier stated that I would discuss the distinction which the Bible makes between "Easter" and "passover."  The word Easter appears only once in Scripture.  Following is the relevant passage:

"Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.  And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.  And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)  And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.  Peter therefore was kept in prison...."  (Acts 12:1-5a)

Herod started killing the apostles not only because he hated them but because he saw that it "pleased the Jews."  He had already killed James, and he had Peter in prison.  But Herod delayed Peter's execution.  Why?  Was Herod reverently observing the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ?  Or was Herod showing his respect to the beliefs and practices of the Christian Church?  Of course, not!  Herod hated Christ and his Church and everyone affiliated with that.  But Herod was observing "Easter" ~ which was the pagan celebration of the god Mithra!  Herod served as tetrarch of Judea, at the pleasure of his Roman overlords ~ many if not most of whom worshiped Mithra.  Herod, therefore, wanted to wait until "after Easter," before resuming bloody spectacles involving public execution.  As it happened in that particular year, the festival of Mithra (Easter) occurred in close proximity to the Feast of Passover.  But be assured that "Easter" is not the Holy Ghost's way of saying, "Passover."  They are not the same thing.

I personally believe that Easter dishonors the Lord Jesus Christ.  First, because that Easter is explicitly associated with Mithraism (sun worship).  Second, because that it is known, from Scripture, on what exact date Jesus was crucified (15 Nissan); and that was not Easter.  Third, because that the Church ~ knowing that Christ was crucified on the Feast of Passover,  nevertheless is willing to associate the suffering of Christ with a festival identified with the pagan deity Mithra.

1. For the Church to adopt any practice associated with idolatry;
2. for the Church, moreover, to ignore the Feast of Passover; and, not least by any means,
3. for the Church to memorialize the passion of Christ not in keeping with the revelation of Scripture regarding the actual time of his crucifixion but, instead, in connection with a pagan festival: 

Those are among a number of very significant reasons why it is that the Church is not having Revival.  But, hey, all the girls get a chance to dress up in their new Easter outfits.  And most Evangelical churches still have egg hunts for the kids.  Easter is a good time for everybody!

Besides, there are some folks who will come to church on Easter, who won't come at any other time of the year.  And that may be the only chance they will have to hear the Gospel.  Sadly, I must agree with that last statement.  For, very few Christians are in the habit of witnessing of Christ, in any other place or at any other time than when they are at church ~ where it's O.K. to be a Christian.

As for me and my house, I think we're going to sleep in and maybe go on a picnic, on that day.  I just can't take the hubbub (not to mention the offense) ~ especially, since I know the truth.