The True Meaning of Easter is Not about Bunnies or Eggs

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” — John 3:16 KJV

When I was stationed in Greece as the commander of a NATO nuclear weapons sight I learned the true meaning of Easter.

In Greece Easter is celebrated more than Chrismas by the Greek Orthodox Church. I was honored to attend an Easter celebration with Greek soldiers to honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

While sitting with these Greek soldiers, I understood the importance of Easter to them. The Greeks represent the birth of our Judeo Christian nation.

We must continue to be a Judeo Christian nation as this is truly the foundation of our Constitutional Republic.

If we lose our faith then we loose everthing.

I have had many come to Jesus moments in my life but one of the most impactful was sitting in a Greek Orthodox church in Drama, Greece in 1977.

Easter has noting to do with bunnies and eggs. Let is all not forget that!

The true meaning of Easter is the celebration of Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion, which Christians believe conquered sin and death.

This event is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, offering believers eternal life, hope, and peace through the promise of redemption and reconciliation with God.

While often associated with secular symbols like eggs and bunnies, the holiday’s core significance lies in the biblical narrative of Jesus’ sacrifice on Good Friday and his victory over the grave on Resurrection Sunday.

Theologically, this marks the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah and establishes the foundation for the Christian belief in salvation and the new covenant between God and humanity.

• Date: Easter is a moveable feast calculated based on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox.
• Historical Context: The celebration dates back to the 2nd century and is closely linked to the Jewish festival of Passover.
• Spiritual Impact: It represents a “new birth into a living hope” and serves as a reminder that Jesus’ love and sacrifice provide a path to everlasting life.

©2026 Dr. Richard M. Swier, LTC U.S. Army. All rights reserved.