Easter Sunday

About Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday is the most important and oldest festival of the Christian Church, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, as described in the New Testament. It marks the end of Lent — a 40-day period of fasting and penance — and the culmination of Holy Week, which includes Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday.

Easter is a moveable feast: its date changes each year, falling on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the spring equinox (March 21). This means it can occur anywhere between March 22 and April 25.

History & Origins

The origins of Easter intertwine Christian theology with older spring festivals. The English word "Easter" likely derives from Ēostre, an Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and dawn. Many Easter customs — eggs, rabbits, and spring flowers — have roots in pre-Christian fertility celebrations that marked the return of longer days and warmer weather.

The Council of Nicaea in 325 AD established the rule for calculating Easter's date, tying it to the lunar calendar. This is why Eastern Orthodox churches, which use the Julian calendar for this calculation, often celebrate Easter on a different date than Western churches.

How It's Celebrated

• Church services — Sunrise services, special Masses, and joyful worship mark the day for Christians worldwide.
• Easter eggs — Decorated eggs (symbolizing new life) are exchanged. Chocolate eggs and egg hunts are beloved children's traditions.
• Easter Bunny — A secular symbol of the holiday, the Easter Bunny brings baskets of candy and eggs, especially in German, American, and Australian traditions.
• Festive meals — Roast lamb is traditional in many countries. Hot cross buns are eaten in the UK and Commonwealth nations.
• Parades & festivals — The Easter Parade on Fifth Avenue in New York, Semana Santa processions in Spain, and flower festivals in the Netherlands are among the most famous celebrations.