Easter Traditions

Easter is the most important religious holiday
of the Christian liturgical year, observed in March, April, or May to celebrate
the resurrection of Jesus, which Christians believe occurred after his death by
crucifixion in AD 27-33 (see Good Friday). Easter can also refer to the season
of the church year, lasting for fifty days, which follows this holiday and ends
at Pentecost. The Easter festival is kept in many different ways among Western
Christians. The traditional, liturgical observation of Easter, as practised
among Roman Catholics and some Lutherans and Anglicans begins on the night of
Holy Saturday with the Easter Vigil. This, the most important liturgy of the
year, begins in total darkness with the blessing of the Easter fire, the
lighting of the large Paschal candle (symbolic of the Risen Christ) and the
chanting of the Exsultet or Easter Proclamation attributed to Saint Ambrose of
Milan. A short introduction about Easter from the perspective of various
religions, traditions and cultures, including Easter season, Easter bread,
Easter eggs, greetings, etc.