For millions of Christians around the world, Easter is an important day for believers. The holiday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which occurs after the 40-day period known as Loaned.
Religious services, reflection, and prayer are some of the ways people observe the holiday. Others enjoy a more secular celebration of Easter filled with bunnies, baskets and colorful eggs.
Each year, Easter falls on a different day. So when will this happen in 2024? Here is informations about how Easter came to be and why it is celebrated.
When is Easter?
This year, Easter will be on Sunday March 31, 2024.
Why is Easter so early in 2024?
The date of Easter changes from year to year. The feast is one of many “movable feasts” in the liturgical year, the History Channel reports. Others include Ash Wednesday And Palm Sunday.
Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday following Paschal full moonwhich is the first full moon on or after the spring equinox. Since Western Christianity uses the Gregorian calendar, Easter typically falls on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25, according to the History Channel.
In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, the date of Easter also varies. The branch follows the Julian calendar, meaning Orthodox Easter falls between April 4 and May 8, the History Channel reports. This year, it will take place on Sunday May 5, 2024.
Easter story
Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the last day of Holy Week, made up of several days, each with its own meaning. These include:
- Palm Sunday: commemoration of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem
- Maundy Thursday: commemoration of the Last Supper and washing of the feet
- Good Friday: commemoration of the crucifixion and death of Jesus
- Easter Sunday: commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus
Of the four canonical Gospels, each has a version of the Passion, or final period of Jesus’ life. While the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke are similar in their accounts, that of John varies.
According to the text, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus who was arrested by the Roman authorities after saying that he was the Son of God. Jesus predicted this would happen at the Last Supper.
Jesus was then tried and sentenced to death by Pontius Pilate, the Roman prefect of Judea. The events of stations of the cross followed, ultimately leading to the crucifixion of Jesus.
Jesus was then buried in a tomb. And on the last day (Easter Sunday), Jesus’ tomb was found empty. The Bible proclaims that he rose from the dead.
Why do we celebrate Easter?
Easter is celebrated in remembrance of the sacrifices of Jesus Christ. As a result, many Christians will attend religious services and pray according to the observance. Other aspects of the holiday, such as Easter eggs, also stem from Christian traditions.
The colorful Easter eggs that you might decorate with your family are actually symbols of new life and rebirth. Ancient Christian communities in Mesopotamia colored eggs red to represent the blood of Christ shed during crucifixion. NBC Chicago reports. The eggs also symbolize the empty tomb of Jesus.
As for the Easter Bunny, his origins are not necessarily rooted in Christianity. The exact origins of the anthropomorphic rabbit are unclear. However, since ancient times, it has been said that the hare represents rebirthaccording to Smithsonian magazine.
German Lutherans used an Easter hare for the Easter season, similar to the role of Santa Claus at Christmas. Known as “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws“, the rabbit offered baskets of toys and candy to good children on Easter Eve, the History Channel reports.
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