5 different ways Easter is celebrated around the world
Did you know that Easter isn’t always just celebrated with chocolate? Easter is marked very differently around the globe.
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If it seems like Easter is late this year, it’s because it is. Here’s what you need to know about Easter.
When is Easter in 2025?
All churches celebrate Easter on April 20 this year.
Why is Easter 2025 so late?
Easter is tied to the lunar cycle and the spring equinox. It falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring, which this year is Thursday, March 20. According to the moon phases, the first full moon after the spring equinox is the Pink Moon on April 13, making Easter Sunday the following Sunday, or April 20.
According to EarthSky, the earliest day for Easter is also the least likely day for it. Since March 21 is the spring equinox, the earliest date for Easter is March 22. The last time Easter fell on March 22 was in 1818. The next time it will occur is in the year 2285.
The latest possible day for Easter is April 25, which will next occur in 2038. After that, it won’t happen again until 2190.
Why do we celebrate Easter?
Easter is a Christian holiday celebrated to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ at the end of Holy Week. After his crucifixion, death, and burial on Good Friday, Jesus rose from the grave three days later, according to Christianity.com. Christians believe this means Jesus conquered death and redeemed us from sin. As a result, most Christians will attend church services and pray in observance.
How is Easter celebrated?
Traditionally, Easter is celebrated by attending church services and having special meals with family – Easter dinner or Easter brunch.
While there isn’t a set food for Easter dinner, lamb is a traditional Easter food. Christians refer to Jesus as the Lamb of God; however, lamb also has a significant role in Passover. Jews who converted to Christianity continue to eat lamb at Easter.
In addition, Easter baskets filled with colored eggs, chocolate and other candies are part of the celebration, according to History.com
The Easter eggs symbolize the tomb of Jesus and the new life that sprung from it. Decorating Easter eggs dates back to the 13th century.
While not having any religious significance, Easter candy has been a part of the holiday since the early 19th century. Some of the most popular candies are Peeps, jelly beans, egg-shaped candies and chocolate bunnies. Easter is the second largest candy-selling holiday behind Halloween.
What does the Easter Bunny have to do with Easter?
According to history.com, the Bible makes no mention of Easter bunnies. Rabbits are an ancient symbol of fertility and new life and are known as prolific procreators. The exact origins of the Easter Bunny are unknown.
What is known is that the Easter Bunny first arrived in the United States in the 1700s. German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania brought the tradition of the egg-laying bunny “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws.” Children would build nests, and the creature would lay colored eggs in them. The custom spread throughout the country, and the nests were switched to baskets and the famous bunny brought chocolate, candy, gifts and eggs.
