Christians celebrate Easter in March or April, one of the most important festivals of the year. Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on this day, which is considered to have happened during this time around 30-33 A.D.
Easter always falls on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25 in Western Christianity. Easter Monday will be observed in countries with a predominantly Christian tradition on the following day.
In Western countries, Easter marks the end of the forty days of Lent, a period during which the Christians observe fast and penitence in preparation for the Easter, which begins on Ash Monday and ends on Easter Sunday.
Christian tradition places great importance on the week leading up to Easter. The Sunday before Easter is Palm Sunday and the last three days are Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday.
Palm Sunday, Maundy, Thursday and Good Friday respectively commemorate ‘Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, and the Crucifixion.
The Easter Triduum is the grouping of these three days. In some countries Easter lasts for two days, with the second called ‘Easter Monday’.
Eastern Christians begin preparing for the Easter with the Great Lent. Following the fifth Sunday of Great Lent is Palm Week, which ends with Lazarous Saturday, the day which officially brings Great Lent to a close, but the fast continues for the following week.
After Lazarus Saturday comes Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and finally Easter. Easter is immediately followed by Bright Week, during which there is no fasting.
Easter is the fundamental and the most important festival of the Eastern and the Oriental orthodox. Every other religious festival including Christmas is of secondary importance in comparison to the celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord.
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