This is the correct answer to the quiz in an easy-to-print format for additional study.
1. The name 'Easter is derived from:
Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon pagan goddess of spring
2. Easter Sunday, in the Western Church, is based on:
The first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal (Spring) equinox
3. Which statements are true about the custom of Easter eggs:
Eggs symbolized fertility/spring in pagan cultures
Early Christians viewed the egg as symbolic of the stone rolled away from Christ's tomb
Eggs were decorated and given as gifts during Lent, when they could not be eaten
4. Which statements are true:
The first Christian Easter parade was in Emperor Constantine's 4th century Rome
Sunrise services follow the tradition of Mary Magdelene's early visit to Christ's tomb
Pagan Anglo-Saxon cakes baked for the goddess of spring were 'converted' to 'Hot Cross Buns' in the 14th century
5. Lent begins 40 days before Easter (excluding Sundays) and is characterized by fasting or self-denial to prepare for celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus. What is the name derived from:
The Old English term (Lencten) for springtime
6. Which statements are true about Shrove Tuesday:
The name comes from 'shriven' (granted absolution after confessing sins)
It is the same day as the 'Fat Tuesday' of New Orleans' Mardi Gras
It was a feast/celebration day where food not allowed during Lent (eggs, milk, cheese, meat and butter) was eaten in a 'carnival' atmosphere prior to Ash Wednesday
7. Which statements are true about Ash Wednesday:
The name is derived from ashes, Biblical symbol of penitence, starting the Lenten season
Burned palm branches from last year's Palm Sunday are used to mark the sign of the cross on believer's foreheads
It is a time of special services, often with the theme 'ashes to ashes, dust to dust'
8. Holy (Passion)Week actually begins with:
Palm Sunday, when Jesus triumphantly entered Jerusalem on a donkey
9. The name 'Maundy' Thursday is derived from:
From the Latin word 'mandatum' recalling Christ's command to 'love one another'
10. Which event did NOT occur on Good Friday:
The rooster crowed three times, reminding Peter he had denied His Lord
The sky was darkened from 12 noon until 3pm, followed by a great earthquake when Jesus 'released his spirit'
Judas Iscariot returned the thirty pieces of silver and hung himself
11. Identify the event which the Romans did NOT have a role in:
Arresting Jesus in the Garden after the Passover supper
12. Which event occurred first on Easter Sunday morning?
Mary Magdalene saw no one when she first came to the open, empty tomb
13. Jesus returned to heaven on the day traditionally called:
Ascension Day (Holy Thursday), the 40th day after Easter Sunday
A great resource of catechism...
