to ask.....

[cheekybarsteward]

I probably am as I was brought up christian and still have no idea but if we celebrate the birth of jesus, know when he was crucified and ressurected etc why does no-one mention the date he died again? Wouldn't that be a remembered date also? Really must dust off the bible.

Died again? You mean 'Ascension Day'?... May 17th this year.

Ah. See I had no idea what that was. Thank you

Maybe that is why, there isn't a fixed date - easter seems to follow the moon. I think christmas is an arbitary date - i could be wrong.

Here's a calendar of christian festivals some are fixed and others are 'moveable feasts'. Some we still celebrate and others have lapsed mostly. BTW Christians believe in eternal life. Died, resurrected and ascended into heaven.... didn't die again as such.

Moveable feasts Definitely scope for a few more bank holidays. :)

Hi we've moved this thread to Philosophy/religion/spirituality.

The bible tells us that Jesus was put do death shortly after the Last Supper. This was a Jewish Passover meal.

Passover is set according to tradition - after the first full moon after the spring equinox. In ancient times, there were no calendars or mass communication. The phases of the moon, and height of the sun, were what united people to common dates.

Fixed dates, such as Christmas, are very arbitrary. They are based on Holy Tradition rather than biblical fact.

errr... He died on the cross, rose again, and ascended into heaven (so didn't die again, went into heaven still occupying His resurrected physical body)

Apostles' creed (earlier than the Nicene)

1. I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
2. and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
3. Conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.
4. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.
5. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again.
6. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
7. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
8. I believe in the Holy Spirit,
9. the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, [ie 'universal' not 'RC']

10. the forgiveness of sins, 11. the resurrection of the body, 12. and life everlasting. Amen.