Easter Countdown

Easter is the most important Christian holiday, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, as described in the New Testament. Unlike Christmas, Easter does not fall on a fixed date — its date changes each year, calculated as the first Sunday after the first full moon following the March equinox. This puts Easter between March 22 and April 25. Eastern Orthodox churches follow the Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian calendar, which often places their Easter celebration one to five weeks later. The word 'Easter' likely derives from the Old English 'Eastre' or from 'Eostre,' a Germanic spring goddess. Many Easter traditions have pre-Christian spring festival roots: eggs symbolized new life and fertility in ancient cultures long before being adopted into Christian celebration. Egg decoration, Easter egg hunts, and the Easter Bunny are largely secular traditions that have become central to the holiday's popular celebration. The Christian observance of Easter is preceded by a 40-day period of fasting and reflection called Lent (beginning on Ash Wednesday), Holy Week (the week before Easter), and culminates in Easter Sunday services featuring sunrise services, special music, and lilies. Easter weekend includes Good Friday (commemorating the crucifixion) and Holy Saturday. Easter is a public holiday in most Christian-majority countries. In many European countries, the following Monday (Easter Monday) is also a public holiday. Major traditions include hot cross buns, simnel cake, Easter parades, and chocolate eggs.

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