Easter!

By: Erin Watts

What is Easter?

Easter is a Christian holiday. It celebrates Jesus Christ rising from the dead three days after He was crucified. Easter falls on different days each year as it is referred to as a “Moveable Feast.” It always lands between March 22 and April 25 in Western Christianity; in Eastern Orthodox Christianity it falls between April 4 and May 8.

Easter Traditions

In Western Christianity, Lent is the period of 40 days (not including Sundays) before Easter and is a time of fasting and penitence. It begins on Ash Wednesday. The Sunday prior to Easter Sunday is known as Palm Sunday, representing Jesus’s arrival in Jerusalem where His followers laid palm leaves to greet him. In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, Easter starts with Great Lent, which starts on Clean Monday, 40 days (including Sundays) before Easter and ends on Lazarus Saturday, before Palm Sunday.

Easter Eggs and the Easter Bunny

Easter Eggs and the Easter Bunny are both non-religious traditions. Many children participate in Easter egg “hunts” where decorated eggs are hidden. The Easter Bunny is a character that some children believe deliver candy and eggs on Easter morning in Easter baskets.