Easter
Easter is one of the most important religious holidays of the Christian calendar, steeped in tradition and ritual developed over centuries. It also has its secular side: the familiar bonnets, bunnies and those irresistible foil-wrapped chocolate eggs nestled into beds of neon grass. With all of these distractions, it’s easy to see how the religious message of Easter can sometimes get crowded out of the picture. This Web Guide can help you rediscover the history, beliefs, symbolism and practice of Easter.
Expand All Guide SectionsWhat is Easter?
The sites below examine the meaning, the history and the traditions of Easter. While different groups of Christians agree on the essence of Easter—namely, Christ’s death and resurrection—each church has its own way of commemorating this important holiday.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Holidays on the Net offers an Easter date calculator, and the World Council of Churches explains how and why each Easter date is calculated. In 325 CE, a council of bishops determined that Easter would be celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon that follows the vernal equinox. However, Eastern rite (Orthodox) and Western rite (Catholic and Protestant) churches have used different calendars since the 16th century, which means that they usually observe Easter on separate dates.
- Religion & Ethics, a PBS-affiliated Web site, features an interview with Christians of various denominations that touches on the somewhat divisive issue of determining the date of Easter. It also examines other differences in the ritual of Easter as it is celebrated by Eastern Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant followers.
- “From Jesus to Christ,” a PBS Frontline series, examined the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection from a historical perspective. In this online supplemental material to the series, two professors of scripture and religious studies compare and contrast different depictions in the Gospels of Jesus’ resurrection.
Dulcinea's Picks
ChurchYear.net
is a no-frills Web site that breaks down the history, traditions and symbols of Easter in simple, articulate language. It also links to Easter art, poems and a forum for remaining questions.
New Advent
digitally reproduces the early 20th-century Catholic Encyclopedia, which offers a more detailed explanation of Easter, including its etymology (the name Easter has been linked to Estre, Teutonic goddess of the dawn). The long paragraphs make this site a bit less reader friendly than the previous pick.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Web site explains the historical, cultural and religious origin of Easter, the “most venerable and preeminent feast of the Church.” The Greek Orthodox term for Easter is Pascha, a name derived from the Jewish holiday of Passover, celebrated at the same season. The site also provides an overview of Great Lent and Holy Pascha.
Gateway Cathedral
is an interdenominational Bible church whose Web site examines the pagan, Jewish and Christian roots of Easter.
Lent
The Easter season begins with Lent, a time for repentance and preparation that starts on Ash ... read more »
Holy Week
Holy Week is the final week of Lent, beginning on Palm Sunday and ending on Easter Sunday. Many ... read more »
Easter Sunday: Traditions and Symbols
After the somber and solemn Lenten season, Easter Sunday is a day teeming with energy and ... read more »
Celebrating Easter with Your Children
The following Web sites offer a few tips for parents who wish to emphasize the spiritual meaning of ... read more »
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