Easter

 

 

Easter Sunday is early this year it is on the 23rd March. If you are a Christian this is the most important feast of the year. Holy week is the last week of lent and it starts on Palm Sunday. Which is when Jesus came into Jerusalem just before he was crucified; palms are what people waved at him to welcome him. It was a symbol of achievement. The Roman Catholic Church refers to this Sunday as Passion Sunday.
Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday is the day Jesus had the last supper with the apostles and he washed their feet. In the Catholic Church a priest will re - enact this during the mass and other churches will also do it. The washing of the feet was an act of love and charity to his disciples by Jesus. It showed what it was to be a Christian. The last supper is also when Judas betrayed Jesus.
Good Friday is the day Jesus was crucified. This is what he was born to do as he was not of this world but the next. He sacrificed his life for our sins. This is also why there was no violent struggle and he forgave his persecutors. For Catholics Good Friday like Ash Wednesday is also a day of fasting and abstinence.
Easter Sunday is the day Jesus raised from the dead this is important to Christians as the resurrection means their sins can be forgiven and a new life will await them in heaven. We celebrate the resurrection (rebirth) with Easter eggs as it represents new life.
You may well go on an Easter egg hunt either a specially organised one or your family may have hidden eggs in the garden for you to find. Other symbols of spring are used at Easter time such as spring flowers like daffodils, there is also what is known as the Easter bunny. Animals such as bunnies and lambs are popular as they are usually born in the spring. Various countries will also have their own traditions.

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