Easter - the Christian celebration of the resurrection

Easter is the Christian celebration of Jesus Christ's resurrection. From a theological point of view, it is one of the most important and oldest Christian festivals. Easter has no fixed date and always takes place on the Sunday following the first spring full moon. The Easter season starts on Easter Sunday and ends 50 days later with Whitsun.

Easter is the oldest (alongside Whitsun) and holiest festival of Christianity, with roots in the Jewish Passover celebrations. In 325 AD the Council of Nicaea decided that Easter Sunday was to be celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon in spring. The Easter Vigil is traditionally celebrated by the Orthodox and Catholic Churches, but increasingly by Protestant churches as well. In the Roman Catholic tradition, the Divine Liturgy for the Easter Vigil consists of four parts, with the focus on light itself in the Service of Light.

Members of the congregation receive a candle at the entrance to the church which is then lit from the Paschal (Easter) candle, while sometimes a proper "Easter fire" is lit for this purpose. The Easter Vigil became a popular occasion for christenings in the 4th century and this is where Easter derives its association with baptism. The lamb is a symbol of defencelessness in the face of wild animals and the traditional sacrifice of the Old Testament. The first instance of eggs being blessed was recorded in the 12th century, but they have been regarded as a symbol of fertility since ancient times. The decorating of eggs is a practice that was most widespread in eastern Europe.

In Christian faith, without the resurrection of Jesus Christ there would be no life after death. According to the Bible, Christ overcame the power of death through the resurrection. This is what many Christians believe to be the real significance of Easter. Non-Christian elements were incorporated into the festival by the Church, to make it easier to bring people into the fold of the new religion during the Christianisation process. Initially, the Easter Bunny played only a minor role in German Easter celebrations, while Easter eggs have always been its main symbol, representing fertility and life. On the morning of Easter Sunday, children in German-speaking countries look for colourfully painted eggs and sweets that have been hidden by the Easter Bunny. Easter cakes can take the shape of a rabbit or lamb. In many Christian communities an Easter bonfire is lit at night and traditional Easter markets take place in some regions.