Some Facts About Easter

When is Easter?

In 2024 Easter Sunday is on 31 March. The week leading up to Easter is called Holy Week.

The date of Easter Sunday varies from year to year. It is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon, on or after 21 March.

Holy Week

Palm Sunday

This is the Sunday before Easter Sunday.

It is the first day of Holy Week and celebrates Jesus’s arrival in Jerusalem riding on a donkey. Crowds of people came out of the city to greet him, throwing down palm branches on the road.

Anglican and Roman Catholic churches give out small crosses made from palm leaves, as a reminder of Jesus’s entrance into Jerusalem and his death on the cross. Some Christians keep these in their homes all year as a symbol of their faith.

Good Friday

Good Friday is the Friday before Easter Sunday. It commemorates the execution of Jesus by crucifixion.

Good Friday is a day of mourning in church. During special Good Friday services Christians remember Jesus’s suffering and death on the cross, and what this means for their faith.

In some countries, there are special Good Friday processions, or re-enactments of the Crucifixion.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/ztkxpv4/articles/z4t6rj6#:~:text=after%2021%20March.-,Holy%20Week,in%20their%20homes%20all%20year%20as%20a%20symbol%20of%20their%20faith.,-Maundy%20Thursday

Easter baskets have special symbolism.

The woven treat containers represent birds’ nests and new life, especially when filled to the brim with eggs. Plus, they’re a pretty utilitarian way to gather those goodies on your Easter egg hunt.

There’s a reason you probably eat ham for Easter dinner.

Historically, most early Easter celebrants would have eaten lamb for this special occasion since the holiday has its roots in Jewish Passover. But these days, many American Easter dinners now feature ham instead, because of the timing of the holiday. Years ago, hams cured over the winter months would have been ready to serve in the early spring.

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/easter-ideas/g5064/easter-facts/#:~:text=There%27s%20a%20reason,the%20early%20spring.

• The term ‘Easter’ came from Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility.
• Some countries call it ‘Pascha’, which means ‘Passover’ in Hebrew.
• Easter celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus three days after his Crucifixion.
• Passion Week, or more commonly known as Holy Week, happens before Easter.
• After Halloween, Easter is the top-selling candy holiday.
• Easter always occurs between March 22 and April 25.
• Easter is a “movable feast” – one that is set according to the phases of the moon – so the dates are different each year.

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