Passover, the first day of the week, and Easter are important days in the Christian calendar. While the three-day festival of Passover focuses on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the final day of Easter commemorates the slaying of the true Lamb of God. Although the early Christian fathers did not mention Easter, the first mention of it was made through the controversycontroversy. The connection between Passover and Easter is both real and ideal.
Holy Week
During the last day of the week of Holy Week, the Christian community holds services and celebrations that give the world a sense of new beginnings out of endings. These services are also an important opportunity for Christians to proclaim the Gospel’s transformative power. In most churches, Holy Week services are held on Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. While these days don’t necessarily involve special liturgies, they do include reflections and prayers on these events.
As the last day of Holy Week approaches, many Christians begin to reflect on the events of this week, particularly the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The first three Gospel accounts refer to the Sabbath, which provides appropriate symbolism for the seventh day. Some churches, however, continue with their daily services on Saturday, while others refrain from serving communion on the Easter Vigil, which takes place after sundown Saturday. Christians also observe the seventh day as a day of quiet reflection and contemplation. During the week, Christians meditate on the darkness of the world and the fact that Christ’s resurrection will bring hope to the world.
Holy Saturday
Most Christians in the western world refer to Holy Saturday as Great or Black Saturday, but many of its followers in eastern Europe call it the Saturday of Mourning. The day is also known as Karsamstag in German, and in Malta, it is called Sibt il Glorja. Christians in Iran refer to Holy Saturday as Sabt al Noor, which translates as the night of the resurrection. The day is also the time for the Easter Vigil, which is held late into the night of Holy Saturday, and involves lighting many lamps.
Although churches do not hold mass on Holy Saturday, Orthodox Christians have a service on this day to bless the bread and wine and to distribute them to the faithful. Christians often consider this the day when Jesus entered hell. Others, however, reject this idea. In any case, most Christians observe Holy Saturday as a day of reflection and contemplation. The days of Lent are celebrated in a variety of ways, and Easter is no exception.
Passion Sunday
While Passion Sunday was originally named for the fifth Sunday of Lent, it was changed after the Second Vatican Council. After Vatican II, it was renamed Palm Sunday. This day commemorates the entry of Christ into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and the start of Holy Week. It is a time when we remember the suffering and death of Jesus on the cross. The name Passion Sunday has a distinctly Catholic meaning. It also commemorates the first events of the Passion narrative.
The day is marked with two gospel readings: the triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the Passion. This reading reveals the pace of change in Jesus’ life. On this day, it is important to attend the mass on Good Friday and Holy Thursday as well. Traditionalist Catholics also follow the pre-1960 calendar and may use the term Passion Week. But despite the change, most Roman Catholics continue to refer to the week as Holy Week.
Easter
Christian traditions recognize Easter the final day of the week as the day Christ rested in the tomb. The first three Gospels refer to this day as the Jewish Sabbath, which provides appropriate symbolism. Some churches have observances that go beyond the celebration of the Resurrection, such as holding daily services on Saturday. But others keep the seven days a day of silence, and do not serve communion during the Easter Vigil, which occurs after sundown on Saturday. This day is also the time for Christians to reflect on the world without hope.
In Christian tradition, the Triduum begins with the night of Holy Thursday and concludes with the Easter Vigil on the evening of Easter Sunday. The Easter Vigil includes rich details and is a special day in the liturgical calendar. The Easter Sunday Mass resembles an ordinary time Mass, while the Easter Vigil fulfills the Sunday obligation. However, unlike on Easter Sunday, Easter decorations aren’t sold on the final day of the month.
Easter Sunday
The date of Easter is not fixed. According to the Julian calendar, Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon following the vernal equinox. But, Easter is celebrated on the same day as Passover, the Jewish holiday that preceded it. For centuries, Christians have argued over the proper date of Easter, but this has now been settled by the Gregorian calendar, which is the civic calendar used internationally. Orthodox Christians, on the other hand, follow the Julian calendar, which was created by Julius Caesar in 46 BC.
The Christian religion is based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Jesus Christ, who died on the cross, occurred on Easter Sunday. Roman troops sentenced Jesus to death and placed him in a closed tomb. Three days later, his followers discovered the tomb was open. As a result, Jesus appeared to many followers and ascended to heaven, where he is now worshipped. The Easter celebration is the most important in the Christian faith.