One of the most important festivals in the Christian faith, Easter celebrates the period during which Christians believe Jesus Christ was resurrected following the crucifixion.
For non-Christians, it is also a time to come together as a family.
Unlike Christmas, the date of Easter is subject to change, as its date is determined by a lunisolar calendar.
So when here's everything you need to know about Easter:
- Why does the date change every year?
Much like other religious events such as the Hindu celebration of Diwali and the Jewish festival of Rosh Hashanah, Easter is a moveable feast.
This means its date on the Gregorian calendar can vary every year.
The date of Easter Sunday falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox in March.
By taking into account the date of the vernal equinox (which this year falls on Wednesday 20 March) and the next following full moon (Friday 19 April), it was therefore calculated that Easter Sunday would take place on Sunday 21 April in 2019.
- How is it celebrated?
The first church service that some Christians attend in celebration of Easter is held on Holy Saturday, the day before Easter Sunday and the last day of Holy Week.
In addition to church services, it's also tradition for Christians to commemorate Easter with music, candles, flowers and the ringing of church bells.
While Easter is a religious festival, it is also celebrated by a variety of communities of different faiths across the globe.
Many mark the occasion by exchanging chocolate eggs, which are traditionally symbolic of rebirth and new life.
Lots of children also take part in the festivities by participating in Easter egg hunts.
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