Easter

Easter is the feast of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead — the greatest and most important celebration in the entire liturgical year. It is called the "Feast of feasts" and the "Solemnity of solemnities" — the Great Sunday on which all Christian faith rests (CCC 1169).

The Paschal Mystery

Easter celebrates the Paschal Mystery — the Passion, death, and Resurrection of Christ through which he accomplished our redemption. "Paschal" comes from the Hebrew Pesach — Passover. Easter is the Christian Passover: the definitive passage from death to life, from the slavery of sin to the freedom of the children of God (CCC 1169).

The Easter Triduum

Easter is preceded by the Easter Triduum — three days that form one continuous liturgical celebration: Holy Thursday (the institution of the Eucharist), Good Friday (the Passion and death of Christ), and the Easter Vigil (the night of the Resurrection). The Triduum is the heart of the entire liturgical year (CCC 1168).

Fifty Days of Celebration

Easter is not a single day but a fifty-day season running from Easter Sunday through Pentecost. The Church calls this the "great Sunday" — fifty days of unbroken celebration. No fasting or penance is prescribed; the Easter season is pure joy (CCC 1169).

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Easter's date change each year? Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox — a formula established by the Council of Nicaea (325 AD). This method ties Easter to both the Jewish Passover calendar and the cycle of creation itself (CCC 1170).