Sunday, 5^th April, 2026 is ‘Easter’ or ‘Resurrection Sunday’, celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead on the third day of his burial, after his crucifixion by the Romans, at Calvary in 30 AD. The traditional narrative of the Resurrection provides hope and strength, encouraging individuals to rise above adversity and live in a way that creates positive change. Amidst current global turmoil, this narrative brings solace despite raging suffering, grief, and death and hope that life and light can and ultimately will emerge from the darkest circumstances.

Significance of the Resurrection

Easter is about the ‘miracle’ of Jesus conquering death and rising from his grave. However, many scholars also liberally interpret the Resurrection focusing more on its symbolic, metaphorical and deeper spiritual meaning, laying more emphasis on the transformation of the disciples, the endurance of Jesus’ message, and the triumph of love and forgiveness over hatred and resentment. The concept of resurrection morally inspires and spiritually motivates all humanity, towards hope, renewal, and unconditional love. For eg., it symbolises ‘finding purpose in waiting’ in the observation of ‘Holy Saturday’ (the day before Easter) – a day of quiet reflection, waiting, and the preparation that bridges the sorrow and pain of Good Friday with the joyful hope of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. The doctrine of Resurrection reminds us all that suffering, grief and death do not have the final word, and that life and light can emerge from the darkest circumstances.

Zoroastrian Roots

The Christian concept of the end of time involves the second coming of Jesus Christ, the general resurrection of all the dead, and a final public judgment of all humanity. This culminates in the end of history, the destruction of evil, and the creation of a new heaven and earth. This concept seems to trace its roots in the ancient Zoroastrian belief of Frashokereti.

Frashokereti alludes to the final renovation of the universe, where good will ultimately triumph over evil. Frashokereti signifies a future, restorative event where all creation is purified and restored to its original, perfect state, marking the end of suffering and corruption.

Many scholars postulate that Zoroastrianism significantly influenced Christianity, particularly through Jewish contact during the era of Babylonian Captivity. Key parallels include the doctrine of dualism or the conflict between the forces of good and evil, the concept of heaven and hell, angels and demons, a saviour figure and more importantly the Day of Final Judgement and Resurrection.

Esteemed scholar of Iranian languages and Zoroastrianism – Prof. Dr. Mary Boyce believed that Zoroastrianism is the oldest of the revealed religions and heavily influenced Abrahamic faiths through its teachings on the afterlife, resurrection, and individual judgment.

Earthly Paradise

Philosopher and scholar Henry Corbin traced the concept of ‘heaven’ as a final destination, back to the Zoroastrian concept of ‘Yima’s Paradise’ as a a central concept in ancient Iranian mythology, particularly within Zoroastrian tradition. It’s described as a golden age or a sheltered, underground utopia established by Yima, to protect humanity and living things from a catastrophic, freezing winter. During Yima‘s initial reign, his realm was a blissful, earthly paradise. It was characterized by the absence of cold, heat, disease, death, old age and envy created by demons.

Ristakhez and Frashokereti

Ancient Zoroastrian theology which precedes Christian theology by several centuries refers to two separate concepts of Ristakhez and Frashokereti. Ristakhez refers to ‘The Resurrection of the Dead’ and the specific future event when all souls, whether they are in heaven or hell, are raised from the dead to undergo final judgment. Frashokereti refers to ‘Renovation’ or ‘Making Perfect.’ This is envisioned as a comprehensive end-time event, of which Ristakhez or the resurrection is a part. Frashokereti includes the defeat of evil, the cleansing of the world, and the resurrection (Ristakhez.)

Zoroastrianism presents a very detailed and positive explanation of what will happen at the end of time. It expresses a final cosmic battle where good will finally overcome evil. The event will be followed by the return of the dead and a final judgment process where each soul is judged by its actions. Finally, it portrays a recreated world where pain and evil no longer exist. The vision of a recreated earth explained as a new heaven and new earth has major similarities with the descriptions in the Christian Book of Revelation.

The Saviour

As per Zoroastrianism, the final ‘Saviour’ or ‘Saoshyant’ (meaning ‘one who brings benefit), will appear at the end of time to conquer evil, raise the dead, and renovate the world. The Saoshyant will be preceded by two other ‘Saviours’ – Oshetar (Hoshedar) and Oshetar-mah (Hoshedar-Mah.) However, only the Saoshyant will oversee the final resurrection of the dead and a last judgment, where humanity is purified and joined with Ahura Mazda in a perfect, eternal world.

Easter is an opportunity for the world to draw hope and inspiration from the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ prayer for his executioners while on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34), is a central moment in Christian theology, demonstrating radical, unconditional love and mercy. This act is regarded as the pinnacle of forgiveness, extended to the Roman soldiers and the leaders who condemned him to death by crucifixion.

May the emptiness of Good Friday
Be refilled by the promise that Easter morning shall fulfil.
May the joy of Easter morning be a kind light,
May the peace of Easter shine around you at night.
May this peace and joy fill the hearts of all you know,
Filling empty places wherever they may go.