Exploring Easter Celebrations Around The World

Also called Resurrection Sunday, Easter is one of the major festival in the Christian calendar as it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The early church saw the account of Jesus’ resurrection as the main indication of God’s point, declaring Jesus as the Messiah and Savior.

Easter is celebrated since the fourth century and has been the center of the Christian community that even churches that traditionally do not follow other feasts of the church year celebrate Easter as the focal point of Christian faith and worship.

Easter Date Calculations

Easter date is based on lunar cycle. Accordingly, lunar month that starts somewhere between 8 March and 5 April will be designated as paschal month for the year. Third Sunday in the paschal month will be designated as Easter Sunday.

Easter in Australia

Aside from its religious implications, Australia celebrates Easter as a four day holiday weekend that starts on Good Friday and ends on Easter Monday. Australians take Easter as a mini holiday to get together with friends and families. It is also a busy day for domestic air travels in the country and is also considered a perfect event for weddings and baptisms.

Australians also celebrate Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day. Being the last day before lent, the people of Australia initiates a feast consisting of the foods that wouldn’t last the forty days of lent. Australian groups and families also share their made pancakes with each other. Selling them to raise money for charity is also an annual event.

Easter egg hunt is also a popular activity among Australians, especially children. Here, the Easter bunny delivers chocolate Easter eggs to children. Easter egg hunts are conducted mainly on parks and recreational areas wherein adults scatter and hide Easter eggs for the children to find and gather for a prize.

Easter in Ireland

Ireland celebrates Easter just like any other Christian nation. Masses are rampant and traditions are observed. Most people get together with friends and families after church services for a traditional Irish meal. Children receive and eat Easter eggs afterward. Although this meal may be quite festive, some people tend to still observe fasting, or no meat between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.

Easter in New Zealand

People in New Zealand celebrate Easter by attending Church services over the weekend to commemorate Jesus’ death, suffering and resurrection. Local bakeries usually make Hot Cross Buns and East Eggs for the Easter Bunny to collect and distribute to the children come Easter Sunday morning.

Easter in United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, the Queen takes over in the celebration of lent, particularly on Maundy Thursday by giving Maundy Money to senior citizens who are usually chosen if they had done some service to their community. Palm leaves are also present, which are blessed and is decorated on churches. Easter Eggs, the Easter bunny is also an attraction for children.

Morris dancing is also an attraction. Men dress up in costumes with hats and ribbons around their ankles and dance in the streets and carry an inflated pig’s bladder that they occasionally poke over young women’s heads for good luck. Women would also dress up during Easter in Easter bonnets laced with ribbons and flowers.

Easter in United States

People in the United States celebrate Easter much like any other Christian country in the world. It is the time for fasting, penitence, confession, carnivals and being with loved ones. Some cities in the US stage the passion of Jesus through plays and holds and Easter parade as well.

Easter in Canada

In Canada, Easter usually falls on the first full moon after the vernal equinox. Aside from its religious connotations, Canadians celebrate Easter with local traditions like Easter egg hunts, decorating Easter eggs and being with families and friends. The exchange of decorative Easter eggs is also common among close-knit families. The event is so important that even non Christian affiliations also take part in the celebration.

Easter in Other Countries

Easter is also a major holiday in most other Western countries such as Germany, France, Spain, Portugal and Italy. Elsewhere, Easter is usually also a holiday albeit probably in smaller scale; for example Good Friday is a public holiday in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Hong Kong.