About Easter
Sunday following Good Friday. Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus three days after the crucifixion. The most important Christian festival.
Significance
Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion, the central event of the Christian faith affirming victory over death.
History & story
Early Christians began observing the Resurrection annually within a few generations of the event; the Council of Nicaea in 325 CE helped standardize its calculation as the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox.
Rituals & observances
- ◆Easter Sunday service
- ◆Easter eggs
- ◆Family feast
- ◆Sunrise service
Regional variations
Worldwide.
Easter — every year
The date shifts each year on the Gregorian calendar because it follows the Hindu lunar-solar cycle.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Easter's date change every year?
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Its date is tied to the lunar cycle and the spring equinox rather than a fixed calendar date, so it can fall anywhere between late March and late April.
What do Easter eggs symbolize?
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Eggs represent new life and resurrection; the tradition of decorating and hunting for eggs became a popular secular custom alongside the religious observance.
How is Easter observed in India?
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With sunrise and Easter Sunday church services, family feasts, and — in Goa and Kerala especially — community gatherings following the Lenten season.