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Celebrate... Easter
Posted 31/03/24
This year, Easter will be celebrated on 31 March 2024, after 40-days of Lent which involves fasting and prayer. The date of Easter Sunday varies every year, usually celebrated on the first Sunday after a full moon, on or after 21 March.
The Meaning of Easter
Easter is a Christian festival which marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For many Christians, Easter is a celebration of the triumph of life over death, and a very important time of the year. Many non-Christians also have a holiday at this time, so it is a popular time to travel or spend with friends and family. We see lots of symbols of new life at Easter, especially eggs, chicks, flowers and rabbits. These symbols go back to ancient pagan traditions which celebrated fertility, rebirth and new growth after the long, winter months.
When is Easter?
The date of Easter Sunday varies from year to year. It is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon, on or after 21 March. In 2024 Easter Sunday is on 31 March. The week leading up to Easter is called Holy Week.
Holy Week Events :
Palm Sunday
This is the Sunday before Easter Sunday. It is the first day of Holy Week and celebrates Jesus's arrival in Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Crowds of people came out of the city to greet him, throwing down palm branches on the road.
Holy Thursday
Holy Thursday (also called Maundy Thursday) is the Thursday before Easter Day. On Holy Thursday, Christians remember when Jesus ate the Passover meal with his disciples, breaking bread and drinking wine. Christians refer to this meal as the Last Supper. Many Christians remember the Last Supper by sharing bread and wine together in a church service called Holy Communion, Eucharist or Mass. It is a reminder that Jesus sacrificed his life for mankind.
Good Friday
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter Sunday. It commemorates the execution of Jesus by crucifixion. Good Friday is a day of mourning in church. During special Good Friday services Christians remember Jesus's suffering and death on the cross, and what this means for their faith. In some countries, there are special Good Friday processions, or re-enactments of the Crucifixion.
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday marks Jesus's resurrection. After Jesus was crucified on the Friday his body was taken down from the cross and buried in a cave tomb. The tomb was guarded by Roman soldiers and an enormous stone was put over the entrance. On Sunday, Mary Magdalene and some of Jesus's disciples visited the tomb. They found the stone had been moved and that Jesus's body had gone. Jesus appeared to Mary outside the tomb. Later he appeared to his disciples and for forty days afterwards he was seen by many other people. His followers realised that God had raised Jesus from the dead. Christians call this the resurrection.
How is it Celebrated?
Many Christians worldwide celebrate Easter with special church services, music, candlelight, flowers and the ringing of church bells. Easter processions are held in some countries such as the Philippines and Spain. Many Christians view Easter as the greatest feast of the Church year. It is a day of joy and celebration to commemorate that Jesus Christ is risen, according to Christian belief.
Although Easter maintains great religious significance, many children in countries such as Australia, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom, think of it as a time to get new spring clothes, to decorate eggs and to participate in Easter egg hunts where eggs are hidden by the Easter Bunny. Some children receive Easter baskets full of candy, snacks, and presents around this time of the year.
Want to Learn More?
Watch this informative video from Westminster Abbey about the importance of Easter.
Learn more about the origins of Easter (History.com) or maybe some fun facts (Readers Digest).
