What is Easter? When is Easter Celebrated? Easter is one of the most important holidays in Christianity. It is known worldwide for many traditions. In 2020 Easter was only a few days away. For Christians, Easter carries deep significance and is associated with numerous customs. Among the most familiar practices are giving chocolate Easter bunnies and decorated Easter eggs as gifts.
What is Easter? When is Easter Celebrated?
What is Easter? When is Easter in 2020? Special foods are prepared for the celebration, including Easter breads and pastries. Hard‑boiled eggs are brightly painted, candles are lit, and prayers are offered. Within the broader concept of Easter is also the Feast of the Assumption observed by some Syriac communities in July, sometimes referred to as the Virgin Mary’s Easter. The earliest records of Easter celebrations date back to the 2nd century.
In 2020, Easter fell on Sunday, April 12. The Easter season generally spans from the end of March through the end of April. Each year Easter is observed on the Sunday that follows the first full moon after the spring equinox. Specifically, Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or after March 21, the date traditionally taken as the spring equinox. Because this dating depends on both the equinox and the lunar cycle, the exact date of Easter changes from year to year, although it often falls on the second Sunday of April. Easter concludes the five‑week period of preparation known as Lent, and it marks the beginning of Holy Week.
Easter Sunday ends Holy Week and launches a fifty‑day period of celebration that continues until the Feast of Pentecost; this period is commonly called the Easter season or Eastertide. Christians worldwide observe Easter, though specific customs and liturgies vary by country and denomination. During the 20th century there were discussions about fixing a single calendar date for Easter—often proposed as the second Sunday in April—but no universal, permanent change was adopted.