
Easter Monday is a public holiday in many predominantly Christian countries. In Western Christianity, it marks the second day of the Octave of Easter, while in Eastern Christianity it is the second day of Bright Week. In the Catholic Church, Easter Monday is celebrated under the title Monday of the Angel and is a Holy Day of Obligation in Germany. The day is also a public holiday in Italy, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries. Various traditions and customs are associated with Easter Monday, including outdoor sporting events, family picnics, and the ancient custom of boys and men pouring water or perfume on girls and women.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is Easter Monday? | The second day of Eastertide and a public holiday in more than 50 predominantly Christian countries. |
| When is it celebrated? | The Monday immediately following Easter Sunday. |
| Is it a Catholic holiday? | Yes, it is a Holy Day of Obligation in Germany. It is also a public holiday in many countries with large Christian populations. |
| What is its significance? | It marks the second day of the Octave of Easter in Western Christianity. In Eastern Christianity, it marks the second day of Bright Week. |
| What are some traditions associated with Easter Monday? | In some Catholic countries, there is a unique ancient custom where boys and men pour water or perfume on girls and women. In Germany, people participate in Easter egg races. In Italy, people hold family picnics or barbecues with friends. |
| What are some other names for Easter Monday? | "Bright Monday", "Renewal Monday", "Lunedì dell'Angelo" ("Monday of the Angel"), "Lunedì in Albis", "Pasquetta", "Śmigus-dyngus" (Polish), "Velikonoční pondělí" (Czech), "Veľkonočný pondelok" (Slovak), "Vízbevető" (Hungarian). |
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Easter Monday is a public holiday in many countries
Easter Monday is a public holiday in many predominantly Christian countries. In Western Christianity, it marks the second day of the Octave of Easter, while in Eastern Christianity it marks the second day of Bright Week. In the Eastern Orthodox Church and Byzantine Rite Catholic Churches, this day is called "Bright Monday" or "Renewal Monday".
In Italy, Easter Monday is an official public holiday and is called "Lunedì dell'Angelo" ("Monday of the Angel"), "Lunedì in Albis" or, more commonly, "Pasquetta". It is customary to hold a family picnic in the countryside or have barbecues with friends. In New Zealand, it is a National Public Holiday, and schools often extend the weekend to Tuesday to give students a 5-day break. In Spain, Easter Monday is an official public holiday in several regions, including Catalonia, the Land of Valencia, the Balearic Islands, and Navarre. In these regions, it is traditional for families or groups of friends to gather for a trip to the countryside, where they eat a pastry called Easter mona.
In Australia, Easter Monday is also a public holiday, and it is common to participate in outdoor sporting events. Germany and Austria also celebrate Easter Monday as a public holiday, with the latter holding the traditional "Emmausgang", commemorating the walk of the disciples to Emmaus, to which Jesus followed them without being recognized. In Quebec, Canada, employers must give either Good Friday or Easter Monday off to employees.
In countries where Christianity is a state religion, or those with large Christian populations, Easter Monday is often a public holiday. This includes the Nordic countries, such as Denmark, Iceland, and Norway, where Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday are public holidays, and Maundy Thursday is also a holiday for most workers.
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It is called 'Monday of the Angel' in some Catholic countries
Easter Monday is the second day of Eastertide and is a public holiday in more than 50 predominantly Christian countries. In Western Christianity, it marks the second day of the Octave of Easter, while in Eastern Christianity, it marks the second day of Bright Week. Easter Monday is also a Holy Day of Obligation in Germany.
In some Catholic countries, Easter Monday is called "Monday of the Angel". This is because Christ is the centre of the universe and angels belong to him. An angel announced his conception to the Blessed Mother at the Annunciation, and an angel proclaimed his Resurrection to Mary Magdalene. From Easter Monday until the end of Easter at Pentecost, the Church prays the Regina Caeli instead of the Angelus at noon. On Monday of the Angel in 2008, Pope Benedict XVI said that the text of the Regina Caeli "is like a new 'Annunciation' to Mary, this time not made by an angel but by us Christians who invite the Mother to rejoice because her Son, whom she carried in her womb, is risen as he promised".
In Italy, Easter Monday is an official public holiday and is called "Lunedì dell'Angelo" ("Monday of the Angel"), "Lunedì in Albis", or more commonly "Pasquetta". In New Zealand, Spain, Australia, Austria, and Southern Germany, it is also a public holiday. In Quebec, employers must give either Good Friday or Easter Monday off to employees.
In some Catholic countries, such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Hungary, people practice a unique ancient custom on Easter Monday. Boys and men pour a bucket of water or perfume on girls and women, or spank their buttocks and legs with long thin twigs (pussy willow) or switches made from willow or birch. A legend says that this keeps women healthy, beautiful, and fertile during the following year.
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It is a day of remembrance in Ireland
In Ireland, Easter Monday is a public holiday and a day of remembrance for the men and women who died in the Easter Rising, which began on Easter Monday in 1916. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed. Many people spend time with family or friends, attend church services, or participate in local fairs and sports events. Parades and other commemorative events are also held, often starting or passing through locations with memorials to those who died during the Easter Rising, such as the Garden of Remembrance, the General Post Office, and the old yard of Arbour Hill prison in Dublin.
The Easter Rising was a rebellion against British rule that began in Dublin on Easter Monday, April 24, 1916. Until 1966, there was a parade of veterans past the headquarters of the Irish Republican Army at the General Post Office on O'Connell Street, along with a reading of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic. While the specific traditions surrounding the day have evolved, Easter Monday remains a significant day of remembrance in Ireland, with government buildings advised to fly the national flag in commemoration.
In addition to its historical significance, Easter Monday holds religious importance for Catholics in Ireland and around the world. It marks the second day of Eastertide, a 50-day period running from Easter Sunday to Pentecost in the Catholic Church. During this time, the Church prays the Regina Caeli instead of the Angelus at noon. In some Catholic countries, unique ancient customs are practised on Easter Monday. For example, in Poland, boys and men pour water or perfume on girls and women, a tradition believed to promote health, beauty, and fertility.
As a public holiday, Easter Monday provides an opportunity for leisure activities and community gatherings in Ireland. Many people take advantage of the long Easter weekend to take short vacations, either within Ireland or abroad. For those who remain in the country, outdoor sporting events, local fairs, and church services are popular attractions. The Easter egg hunt is also a fun tradition that some families enjoy on this day.
Overall, Easter Monday holds a significant place in Ireland's history and culture. It serves as a day to honour those who fought for Ireland's independence, as well as being a time for religious observance and community celebrations.
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It is a Holy Day of Obligation in Germany
Easter Monday, the second day of Eastertide, is a public holiday in more than 50 predominantly Christian countries. In Western Christianity, it marks the second day of the Octave of Easter, while in Eastern Christianity, it marks the second day of Bright Week.
In Germany, Easter Monday is a Holy Day of Obligation. People in Germany go out into the fields early in the morning and hold Easter egg races. In Austria and Southern Germany, there is the traditional "Emmausgang", commemorating the walk of the disciples to Emmaus, to which Jesus followed them without being recognised.
In the Catholic Church, Easter Monday is celebrated under the title "Monday of the Angel". This is because Christ is the centre of the universe, and angels are his messengers. An angel announced his conception to the Blessed Mother at the Annunciation, and an angel proclaimed his Resurrection to Mary Magdalene. From Easter Monday until the end of Easter at Pentecost, the Church prays the Regina Caeli instead of the Angelus at noon.
In many countries, Easter Monday is a public holiday. Depending on the country, retail stores, shopping malls, and restaurants may be closed on Easter Monday. In some countries, such as New Zealand, Italy, and Spain, it is an official public holiday. In other countries, such as Australia and Canada, it is a statutory holiday for federal employees, although not all employers give this day off to employees.
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Easter Monday is the second day of Eastertide
In Western Christianity, Easter Monday is the second day of the Octave of Easter, while in Eastern Christianity, it is the second day of Bright Week. In the Eastern Orthodox Church and Byzantine Rite Catholic Churches, this day is called "Bright Monday" or "Renewal Monday". The services during Bright Week are quite different from the rest of the year and are similar to the services on Easter Sunday, including an outdoor procession after the Divine Liturgy.
The Easter Monday traditions vary but often include outdoor sports, egg-rolling contests, family gatherings, and festive meals. In some countries, such as Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, there is a unique ancient custom where boys and men pour water or perfume on girls and women or spank their buttocks and legs with twigs or branches. This tradition is believed to keep women healthy, beautiful, and fertile for the year.
In other countries, Easter Monday holds a more solemn significance. In Ireland, for example, it is a day of remembrance for those who died in the Easter Rising of 1916. Overall, Easter Monday is a day of celebration, reflection, and community gatherings, honouring the time after Jesus' resurrection when he remained on Earth, appearing to his followers and healing the sick.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Easter Monday is a Catholic holiday in many countries. It is the second day of Eastertide and a public holiday in over 50 predominantly Christian countries.
Easter Monday is the second day of Eastertide, which is the longest season on the Church calendar. It is also known as "Monday of the Angel" and is a day of rejoicing, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In some Catholic countries, such as Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic, there is a unique ancient custom where boys and men pour water or perfume on girls and women. In Italy, it is customary to hold family picnics or barbecues with friends. In Germany, people participate in Easter egg races, and in Austria and Southern Germany, they commemorate the walk of the disciples to Emmaus with the "Emmausgang".
Yes, Easter Monday is a public holiday in many countries with predominantly Christian traditions. It is a day off for federal employees and, in some countries, it is a Holy Day of Obligation.
From Easter Monday until Pentecost, the Church prays the Regina Caeli instead of the Angelus at noon. In the Eastern Orthodox Church and Byzantine Rite Catholic Churches, Easter Monday is known as "Bright Monday" or "Renewal Monday", and the services are quite different from the rest of the year, similar to the Pascha (Easter Sunday) services.











































