Easter

Easter is a major Christian holy day that honors the resurrection of Jesus Christ, taking place each spring on a date that changes yearly. Celebrated by Christians and some Alawites in countries across the globe, Easter follows a period of fasting and reflection called Lent and is marked by church services, family gatherings, and festive customs.

• Easter's date is set by the lunar cycle each spring
• The festival centers on Jesus’ resurrection after crucifixion
• Egg decorating and hunting are popular customs
• Sunrise and late-night services mark the occasion
• Families gather for festive meals and church worship

What it is

Easter, known in many places as Pascha or Resurrection Sunday, is the central festival in the Christian calendar, commemorating the belief that Jesus came back to life after his crucifixion. For Christians, this day symbolizes hope, spiritual renewal, and the promise of new life. The festival is a joyful culmination of Holy Week, which remembers the final days of Jesus’ life, and comes after the solemn season of Lent. Easter is a time when families and communities gather to reflect on the meaning of faith, forgiveness, and the triumph of life over death.

Where it comes from

The roots of Easter stretch back to the earliest Christian communities, who began marking the resurrection of Jesus in connection with the Jewish Passover. Written records from the second century mention the festival as an established tradition. The timing of Easter was historically linked to the lunar calendar, which also determined Passover. Over time, debates arose about the precise date for the celebration, but by the fourth century, Christian leaders agreed to observe it on a Sunday in spring, following a full moon. The name 'Easter' in English may trace back to Ēostre, a springtime goddess in early Anglo-Saxon tradition, while most other languages use names related to 'Pascha,' itself derived from the Hebrew word for Passover.

How it is celebrated

Easter traditions vary widely, but most Christian communities begin with worship services, often held at sunrise or late at night to symbolize the moment Jesus rose from the dead. The day is filled with music, joyful greetings, and the lighting of candles. Many churches decorate with lilies and other flowers that represent new life. Festive meals bring families together, and special foods are prepared depending on local customs. Decorating eggs, which represent the empty tomb, is a widespread activity, and in some places, children hunt for hidden eggs or receive gifts from the Easter Bunny. Processions, parades, and community dances are also found in different cultures. The celebrations may last for several days, with the Easter season stretching on for weeks in some traditions.

Joining in

Visitors are welcome to join Easter services in churches across countries such as Italy, Greece, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States. In many cities, you might witness colorful processions, hear joyful singing, and see families dressed in their best attire. If you visit during Easter, expect to be invited to share in special foods and local customs, from egg painting to festive parades. The atmosphere is both reverent and cheerful, with communities coming together in a spirit of renewal and hope.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Easter, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Easter on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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