Easter is the holiest day in the Christian calendar. It observes the most central tenet of the Christian faith—that Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead. The resurrection represents the triumph of good over evil, sin, death, and the physical body.
When Is Easter 2024?
While Christmas is fixed to a solar calendar (and near the winter solstice), Easter is based on the lunar cycles of the Jewish calendar. In the Christian religion, the Last Supper (the final meal Jesus shared with his apostles before his crucifixion) was a Passover feast. It’s because Easter is based on a lunar month (which is 29.5 days) that the date of Easter can vary.
The Easter story
The Easter story is a central narrative in Christianity, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, as described in the New Testament of the Bible. It is considered the most important event in the Christian faith.
The story begins with Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, which is celebrated as Palm Sunday. He is welcomed by crowds of people waving palm branches, a symbol of honor and victory. However, Jesus knows that his time on Earth is coming to an end, and he predicts his betrayal by one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot.
During the Last Supper, a Passover meal, Jesus shares bread and wine with his disciples, referring to them as symbols of his body and blood, initiating the Christian practice of the Eucharist or Holy Communion.
Following the Last Supper, Jesus goes to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. There, he is betrayed by Judas, who identifies him to the authorities with a kiss. Jesus is arrested and brought before the Jewish high priests and the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, who finds no fault in him but yields to the demands of the crowd to crucify Jesus.
Jesus is crucified on a cross on a hill outside Jerusalem, known as Golgotha or Calvary. He suffers and dies, and his body is placed in a tomb donated by Joseph of Arimathea.
Three days later, on Easter Sunday, Jesus rises from the dead, as foretold in the scriptures. His resurrection signifies victory over sin and death, offering hope of salvation and eternal life to all who believe in him. The resurrection is witnessed by several of his followers, including Mary Magdalene, who first discovers the empty tomb.
The Easter story is celebrated by Christians around the world through various traditions and observances, including church services, prayers, fasting, and feasting. It is a time of joy and renewal, marking the triumph of life over death and the fulfillment of God’s promise of redemption.
Happy Easter!
