From a netfriend in Southern Africa:

The coincidence of spring in the northern hemisphere with the celebration of the resurrection of Christ is an accident of timing and geography.

Here the beginning of the ecclesiastical year on 1 September is also the first day of spring, which likewise seems appropriate.

Sometimes there is inappropriate imagery, as in J.M. Neales paraphrase of the Paschal Matins Canon of St John of Damascus:

‘Tis the Spring of souls today

Christ hath burst his prison

And from three days sleep in death

as a sun hath risen

All the winter of our sins

long and dark is flying

from his light, to whom we give

laud and praise undying.

At first sight, a piece of Northern Hemisphere cultural imperialism. But change two lines, and it’s gone:

‘Tis the dawn of joy today

Christ hath burst his prison

And from three days sleep in death

as a sun hath risen

All the night of death and sin

long and dark is flying

from his light, to whom we give

laud and praise undying.

But Neale’s version is a paraphrase, not a translation. The original is global.

This is the day of resurrection. Let us be illumined, O people. Pascha, the Pascha of the Lord. For from death to life and from earth to heaven has Christ our God led us, as we sing the song of victory.