“The greatest celebration of the Christian year is the festival of Easter. On that day, Christians believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead three days after his crucifixion in Jerusalem.
At Easter we celebrate the victory of good over evil, of love over hate, of life over death.In the life of Jesus, Christians believe we see something of the likeness of God himself, a God who entered human life and by giving himself totally to us has enabled us to share his eternal life after death. Easter is therefore a celebration of a victory and it is the source of the deepest Christian hope.
The cross which is the focus of all Christian worship reminds us (since it is empty) that Jesus was not defeated by his crucifixion but overcame the worst evil that human beings can commit by the power of his love, his sacrifice and his self offering. An Easter message for all To Pukaar Magazine readers, with warm wishes from the Right Reverend Tim Stevens, Bishop of Leicester.
That is why Christians see Easter as a time of rejoicing. That is why in Leicester we celebrate the festival with a great public drama of the death and resurrection of Jesus. And that is why I am delighted to wish you all a very happy Easter.”
How Leicester prepared for Easter
Lent, which began on Ash Wednesday, on February 22, signalled a series of public conversations held at Leicester Cathedral by the Bishop of Leicester. The talks in the Grand Hall of St Martin’s House were on the theme of ‘how to create an abundant common life’ and covered health, education, justice, economics and welfare. Sir Hugh Orde, president of the association of chief police officers and former chief constable of the police service of Northern Ireland, was in conversation with police from Leicestershire and the Bishop on how justice can be done and seen to be done in order to help our community to flourish.
Christ’s passion is also remembered through a re-enactment of the story of His crucifixion in Humberstone Gate, Leicester city centre, on Good Friday. The event is now in its 10th year and, with the exception of a few central professionals, the whole event is run by volunteers. That includes fund-raising – the event attracts an audience of some 10,000 people and costs almost £40,000 per year to stage. Grants contribute to the cost, but it is almost entirely dependent on donations.
