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 ... read more »
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 Christians delight in celebrating Christ’s initial welcome into the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday; however, the rest of the week is spent in solemn reflection.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate the Service of the Bridegroom at the beginning of Holy Week. It is a custom that recalls the parable of 10 virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). Five wise virgins stayed awake with lit lamps and waited for the bridegroom, while the five foolish ones slept and missed their opportunity. The bridegroom symbolizes Christ.
- In Mexico, it is customary to stage a passion play, a reenactment of Good Friday. Preparations for the play last an entire year and the actor chosen to portray Jesus must carry a cross weighing around 200 pounds.
- Protestant magazine Christianity Today explores the controversy provoked by Mel Gibson’s 2004 film The Passion of the Christ, a graphic depiction of Jesus’ final hours. The Anti-Defamation League also voiced its concern over the message of the film, especially its depiction of the role Jewish people played in Christ’s crucifixion.
- Some Christians participate in a Christian seder because they believe that Jesus, a Jew, was celebrating a Passover seder meal during the Last Supper. Some Jews find the practice objectionable. To read more about the Passover Seder as it is practiced by Jews, see findingDulcinea’s Web Guide to Passover.
Dulcinea's Picks
For an overview of Holy Week …
Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church
offers a guide to preparing Orthodox families for Holy Week. Scroll down to choose the day you’d like to know more about and click to find the icon for that day and its meaning, appropriate verses from scripture, hymns and explanations of each feast.
For Palm Sunday …
Catholic Culture
summarizes the message of Palm Sunday. It also includes Biblical passages, a summary of the liturgy and a link to one priest’s Palm Sunday homily.
For Holy Wednesday …
The Washington Post
Web site has an essay written by actress Rita Wilson who shares fond memories of celebrating Easter as a Greek Orthodox, including the feast of Holy Unction, which takes place on Holy Wednesday.
For Holy Thursday …
New Advent
’s digital reproduction of the Catholic Encyclopedia provides a historical overview of the rituals observed on Holy Thursday, the night of Jesus’ Last Supper when he “broke bread” with his apostles before his crucifixion.
Next Bible
looks at the origins and scriptural references of the washing of the feet, a practice observed on Holy Thursday.
For Good Friday …
The Catholic Liturgical Library
walks readers through the Good Friday ceremony, including directions for observing the Veneration of the Cross. The arrows at the top of the page guide readers through other Holy Week services.
Explorefaith.org
offers a homily from the Rev. Dr. Barbara Brown Taylor, who compares different accounts in the Gospels of what she calls “the darkest day of the year,” when Jesus died on the cross.
The New American Bible
dedicates a page to a script for the Stations of the Cross, which is read on Good Friday; it traces Jesus’ journey to the site of his crucifixion, Golgotha.
For Holy Saturday …
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
provides a detailed summationof the rituals and prayers of Holy Saturday.
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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