Easter VigilThe Easter Vigil, also known as the Paschal Vigil, the Great Vigil of Easter, or Holy Saturday at the Easter Vigil in the Holy Night of Easter, is a liturgy held in traditionalChristian churches as the first official celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. Historically, it is during this liturgy that people are baptized and that adult catechumens are received into full communion with the Church.
EasterEaster, also called Pasch () or Pascha or Resurrection Sunday, is a Christian celebration and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, described in the Bible's New Testament as having occurred on the third day of his burial following his crucifixion by the Romans at Calvary c. 30 AD. It is the culmination of the Passion of Jesus, preceded by Lent (or Great Lent), a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance.
Resurrection of JesusFoundational Christian doctrine that states that Jesus rose from the deadResurrection of Jesus Christ (Kinnaird Resurrection) by Raphael, 1502
Paschal greetingThe Paschal greeting, also known as the Easter Acclamation or Easter Greeting, is an Easter (Pascha) custom among many Christian churches, including Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Congregational. One offers the greeting "Christ is risen!", and the response is "Indeed he is risen!"
LentLent (Latin: Quadragesima, 'Fortieth') is the solemn Christian religious observance in the liturgical year in preparation for Easter. It echoes the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptation by Satan, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, before beginning his public ministry. Lent is usually observed in the Catholic, Lutheran, Moravian, Anglican, United Protestant and Orthodox Christian traditions, among others.
Clipping the churchClipping the church is an ancient custom that is traditionally held in England on Easter Monday or Shrove Tuesday or a date relevant to the Saint associated with the church. The word "clipping" is Anglo-Saxon in origin, and is derived from the word "clyppan", meaning "embrace" or "clasp".
EastertideEastertide (also known as Eastertime or the Easter season) or Paschaltide (also known as Paschaltime or the Paschal season) is a festal season in the liturgical year of Christianity that focuses on celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Preceded by Lent, it begins on Easter Day, which initiates Easter Week in Western Christianity, and Bright Week in Eastern Christianity.
Flowering the crossFlowering the cross is a Western Christian tradition practiced at the arrival of Easter, in which worshippers place flowers on the bare wooden cross that was used in the Good Friday liturgy, in order to symbolize "the new life that emerges from Jesus’s death on Good Friday". The result is a flowered cross that is set near the chancel for Eastertide. HistoryThe Christian custom of flowering the cross dates back to the sixth century.
Easter bonnetAn Easter bonnet is any new or fancy hat worn by women as a Christian headcovering on Easter. It represents the tail end of a tradition of wearing new clothes at Easter, in harmony with the renewal of the year and the promise of spiritual renewal and redemption. As with the wearing of headcoverings by women during Christian prayer and worship in general, the use of Easter bonnets is inspired by the passage of 1 Corinthians 11:1–13 in the Bible.
Sunrise serviceSunrise service is a worship service specifically on Easter Sunday practiced by some Christian denominations, such as the Moravian Church. The sunrise service may take place in the church or outdoors, sometimes in a park, and the attendees are seated on outdoor chairs or benches, or else they stand throughout. Certain congregations of the Methodist, Reformed, and United Protestant traditions observe Easter sunrise services, while others may hold an Easter Vigil service.
JesusFirst-century Jewish preacher and religious leaderJesus (c. 6 to 4 BC – AD 30 or 33), also known as Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, and by various other names and titles, was a 1st-century Jewish preacher and religious leader in the Roman province of Judaea. He is the central figure of Christianity, the world's largest religion. Most branches of Christianity consider Jesus the incarnation of God the Son and the awaited Messiah or Christ.
ChristianityAbrahamic monotheistic religion*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.