Theresa Villiers, Member of Parliament for Chipping Barnet, has issued the following Easter and Passover message:
“This weekend, two of the world’s greatest faiths celebrate important festivals, with Passover beginning this evening (Friday) for the Jewish community, and Good Friday and Easter Sunday marking the holiest days of the year in the Christian calendar.
The Easter message is one of hope, renewal and new life, as the spring arrives after winter. Whilst Christians from the western Catholic, Anglican and Protestant traditions celebrate the resurrection of Christ this week, those from Easter Orthodox churches will wait a further seven days before Easter arrives.
Passover commemorates the liberation of the Jewish people from slavery in ancient Egypt. It is traditionally observed by a special meal, or Seder, on the first night of the festival during which a number of symbolic foods are eaten.
These two significant religious occasions come just a few days after the spring festivals of Rama Navami for Hindus, Puthandu for Tamils, and Vaisakhi for Sikhs.
I would like to wish everyone a Happy Easter and Chag Pesach Sameach, as well as passing on my best wishes to those who have been marking Rama Navami, Puthandu and Vaisakhi over recent days. I hope that you are able to spend time with friends and family over the bank holiday weekend.”
