Easter

Easter is a major festival in Christianity that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his crucifixion, as described in the New Testament. It follows Holy Week, which includes events such as Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday, and culminates in Easter Sunday. In liturgical calendars, Easter marks the end of the Passion and the beginning of the Easter season.

Easter is a moveable feast. In Western Christianity, it is determined as the first Sunday after the paschal full moon, the first full moon on or after 21 March. Therefore, Easter falls between March 22 and April 25. Eastern Orthodox churches typically compute Easter using the Julian calendar, which often yields a later date, and may also differ in the astronomical new moon used for the calculation.

Common customs include sunrise services, church vigils on Holy Saturday, festive meals, and the decoration of eggs. Eggs and rabbits are symbolic of new life in spring. Secular traditions such as egg hunts, chocolate eggs, and hot cross buns accompany many celebrations, varying widely by country and culture.

Across the world, Easter is observed by many Christian denominations, including Roman Catholics, Protestants, and Eastern Orthodox communities. In some countries it is a public holiday with school breaks and official observances. Cultural expressions often blend religious rites with regional customs and secular festivities.

Historians trace Easter observance to early Christianity, drawing on Jewish Passover themes and springtime associations. The date was standardized in the early centuries of the church and was later coordinated within Western and Eastern Christian traditions. The holiday has since evolved into both a religious celebration and a broader cultural festival.