Joshua Bennett
Easter is a significant holiday for Catholics, commemorating Christ's resurrection and celebrating his victory over sin, death, and the devil. It is a time of spiritual rebirth and renewed hope, with converts being baptised and welcomed into the Catholic Church. The date of Easter is not fixed; instead, it is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox, typically falling between late March and mid-April. This date was established by the Council of Nicaea in 325. The Easter Vigil, observed on the Saturday before Easter Sunday, is an important part of the Easter celebration in the Catholic tradition, symbolising the anticipation of Christ's resurrection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | First Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox |
| Timing | After midnight |
| Vigil | The Easter Vigil is the "Mother of All Vigils" and includes four parts: the celebration of lights focused on the Paschal candle; the service of lessons called the prophecies; the administration of the sacraments of baptism and confirmation to adult converts; and the Easter mass |
| Vigil Timing | 10 pm |
| Liturgical Colour | White |
| Flowers | Lilies |
| Symbolism | The sun rising in the East, bringing light, warmth, and hope, symbolises the rising of Christ, who is the true Light of the World |
| Holy Week | The days preceding Easter include Maundy Thursday, commemorating the Last Supper; Good Friday, the day of Crucifixion; and Holy Saturday, the transition between Crucifixion and Resurrection |
| Feast | The greatest feast, according to Leo I, who said that Christmas is celebrated only in preparation for Easter |
| Meaning | Commemorating the Resurrection of Christ, the cornerstone of the Christian faith |
| Other Names | Pascha, Resurrection Sunday |
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What You'll Learn
Easter is the principal feast of the ecclesiastical year
The earliest observance of Easter celebrations can be traced back to the 2nd century, though it is likely that early Christians commemorated the Resurrection, which is a core tenet of the faith. The date of Easter was a significant point of contention in early Christianity, with the Paschal controversies not fully resolved until the 8th century. The date of Easter is determined based on lunisolar cycles, with the ecclesiastical new moon falling between 8 March and 5 April. Easter is then celebrated on the third Sunday following this new moon, or the Sunday after the paschal lunar month's 14th day.
In the Christian calendar, Easter is preceded by Lent, a 40-day period of penance and fasting, and Holy Week, which includes Maundy Thursday, commemorating the Last Supper, Good Friday, commemorating the Crucifixion, and Holy Saturday, the transition between Crucifixion and Resurrection. Easter Sunday itself is marked by a vigil, which in the Roman Catholic tradition includes the celebration of lights with the Paschal candle, the service of lessons, sacraments, and the Easter mass.
Easter is a joyous occasion, with St. John Chrysostom inviting all to the feast, regardless of wealth or past sins. It is a time of celebration and hope, as Christians believe that through Christ's victory over death, they too will conquer "sin, death, and the Devil." The octave of Easter extends this joy, encompassing the eight days from the first to the second Sunday after Easter. The season of Easter culminates in the Ascension of the Lord, celebrated 40 days after Easter, and Pentecost, celebrated 50 days after Easter, marking the conclusion of the Easter season.
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The date of Easter is floating and depends on the full moon
Unlike Christmas, which is fixed on the calendar, Easter is a floating holiday, meaning it falls on a different calendar date each year. This floating date is determined through a calculation known as computus paschalis (Latin for 'Easter computation').
The date of Easter is based on the lunar calendar and the solar year. In 325 CE, the Council of Nicaea established that Easter would be held on the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the vernal equinox, also known as the spring equinox or March equinox. The Christian Church still follows this calendar, which means that the date of the ecclesiastical full moon may be one or two days off from the date of the astronomical full moon.
The Church's fixed date of the March equinox is March 21, regardless of the time zone, while the actual date of the equinox varies between March 19 and March 22. The ecclesiastical dates of the full moon and the March equinox are those used to calculate Easter, rather than the astronomical dates of these events. The ecclesiastical full moon is a mathematical approximation of the first astronomical full moon, on or after March 21.
The date of Easter in a given year depends on the epact, golden number, and dominical letter, which tells us which days are Sundays. The Paschal Full Moon, or Ecclesiastical Full Moon, falls on a recurring sequence of 19 dates ranging from March 21 to April 18. Easter occurs on the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon, meaning it can fall on any date between March 22 and April 25.
The Easter Vigil, or the Great Vigil, is an important liturgical event in the Roman Catholic tradition. It is celebrated on the Saturday evening before Easter Sunday, marking the transition between Crucifixion and Resurrection.
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Easter is preceded by Holy Week
In the Christian calendar, Easter is preceded by Holy Week, which includes Maundy Thursday, commemorating Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples; Good Friday, the day of his Crucifixion; and Holy Saturday, the transition between Crucifixion and Resurrection.
Holy Week is a seven-day period of notable importance, commemorating the acts of Jesus Christ in the days before his crucifixion and resurrection. It begins with Palm Sunday, which marks Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The people welcomed him, echoing the words of Psalm 118:25-26: "Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success!" or "Hosanna! Hosanna!". The word "Hosanna" originates from the word "save".
The week continues with Spy Wednesday or Holy Wednesday, which commemorates the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. Tenebrae is celebrated within Western Christianity during Holy Week, especially on Spy Wednesday. Tenebrae involves the gradual extinguishing of candles while a series of readings and psalms are chanted or recited.
Maundy Thursday, also known as Holy Thursday, marks the commemoration of the Last Supper. The evening Mass of the Lord's Supper inaugurates the period of three days known as the Easter Triduum, which includes Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.
Good Friday is a solemn day of waiting for Easter, and many churches leave services in silence for personal reflection. It is the day of Jesus' crucifixion, and his death and descent into hell.
Holy Saturday, also called Easter Vigil, commemorates the final day of Christ's death and his triumphant descent into hell. It is traditionally a day of sombre meditation, reflecting on the world of darkness that would exist without Christ's resurrection.
The Easter Vigil is the "Mother of All Vigils", and Easter Sunday is the greatest of all Sundays. The vigil has four parts in the Roman Catholic tradition: the celebration of lights focused on the Paschal candle; the service of lessons called the prophecies; the administration of the sacraments of baptism and confirmation to adult converts; and the Easter mass. The Paschal candle is a central symbol of the divine light of Christ. It is kept near the ambo throughout Easter time and lit for all liturgical celebrations.
The season of Easter is the most important of all liturgical times for Catholics, celebrating the Lord's resurrection from the dead, his Ascension to the Father, and the sending of the Holy Spirit upon the Church. The octave of Easter comprises the eight days from the first to the second Sunday, prolonging the initial joy.
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Easter is a solemn holiday
The Easter Vigil, also known as the "Mother of All Vigils", is a significant part of the Easter celebration in the Catholic tradition. It is held on the Saturday before Easter Sunday, marking the transition between Crucifixion and Resurrection. The vigil consists of four parts: the celebration of lights focused on the Paschal candle, the service of lessons called the prophecies, the administration of the sacraments of baptism and confirmation to adult converts, and the Easter mass. The Paschal candle, first used in 384, symbolises the appearance of light out of darkness through the Resurrection.
In the Catholic faith, Easter offers renewed hope and aligns with the theme of resurrection and spiritual rebirth. Catechumens or converts under instruction transition from death to new life in Christ through the sacrament of baptism, and are welcomed into full communion with the Church. The octave of Easter, the eight days from the first to the second Sunday after Easter, is a way of prolonging the joy of the initial day.
The average Catholic family may attend local community events or spend the day with loved ones, taking part in parades, feasts, festivals, or watching live performances. These events are often inspired by the 14 Stations of the Cross, retelling the events of Jesus Christ's Crucifixion.
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Easter traditions vary across the world
In the Christian calendar, Easter is preceded by Lent, a period of 40 days (excluding Sundays) of penance and fasting, and Holy Week, which includes Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. The Easter vigil, observed between sunset on Easter Saturday and sunrise on Easter Sunday, is an important part of the Orthodox tradition and includes four parts in the Roman Catholic tradition: the celebration of lights, the service of lessons, the administration of sacraments, and the Easter mass.
In Bermuda, for instance, people engage in kite flying during Easter, making their own kites with wooden sticks, colourful paper, intricate designs, and a special tissue that makes a buzzing sound. In Guatemala's Antigua, the town covers the streets with colourful carpets made from flowers, coloured sawdust, fruits, vegetables, and sand in preparation for its Good Friday procession.
In Scandinavian countries, children dress up and go to the streets asking for chocolates and treats, similar to Halloween. In Sweden, children dress up as witches and go door-to-door offering adults decorated willow branches or drawings in return for treats.
In Poland, Wet Monday is celebrated on Easter Monday, where people throw water at each other. This tradition is connected to the baptism of a Polish prince centuries ago. In France, a massive omelette is prepared with around 15,000 eggs in a small town in the south, feeding thousands of people.
In Greece, those who celebrate Easter through the Orthodox Church dye eggs red, symbolising the blood of Jesus and his triumphant return. In Ukraine and other Eastern European countries, eggs are decorated with melted wax in a centuries-old tradition known as Pysanky eggs.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Catholics celebrate Easter on Sunday.
Easter Sunday marks the resurrection of Christ.
Easter is the principal feast of the ecclesiastical year. It is the oldest feast of the Christian Church, commemorating the Resurrection of Christ, the cornerstone of the faith.
Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon of spring. Unlike Christmas, it is a floating holiday.
Catholics celebrate Easter with parades, feasts, festivals, and live performances. Church celebrations include the use of the Paschal candle, a symbol of the appearance of light out of darkness through the Resurrection.
