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Easter, and all you need to know |
| Easter | |
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16th century Russian Orthodox icon of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. |
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| Observed By | most Christians, although many non-Christians observe secular practices, especially in Australia, Canada, UK and the US |
| Type | Religious |
| Significance | Celebrates the death and resurrection of Jesus as the basis for the salvation of humankind |
| Date | the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring |
| Gregorian Date (2006) |
April 16 (Western) April 23 (Eastern) |
| Celebrations | Religious (church) services, Easter egg hunts, gifts (USA) |
| Observances |
Prayer, Whipping (Czech Republic) |
| Related To |
Passover, a Jewish holiday of similar origins, Christmas, which honors the birth of Jesus, Septuagesima, Quinquagesima, Shrove Tuesday, Ash Wednesday, Lent, Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday which lead up to Easter, and Ascension, Pentecost, Whit Monday, Trinity Sunday, and Corpus Christi which follow it |
Easter is the most important religious holiday of the Christian liturgical year, observed in March, April, or May to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, which Christians believe occurred after his death by crucifixion in AD 27-33 (see Good Friday). Easter can also refer to the season of the church year, lasting for fifty days, which follows this holiday and ends at Pentecost.