Easter island

A very important holiday of the Christian church, Easter honors the resurrection, or the rising from the dead, of Jesus, the founder of the religion of Christianity. This religious holiday is always observed on a Sunday, but its date varies. It can fall on any Sunday between March 22 & April 25.In many churches Easter follows a season of prayer & fasting called Lent. This is observed in memory of the 40 days Jesus is said to have fasted, or gone without food, in the desert. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. This day gets its name from the practice, mainly in the Roman Catholic church, of putting ashes on the foreheads of the faithful as a symbol of the season.The week before Easter Sunday is known as Holy Week During this week, Christians remember the events they believe took place at the time of Jesus' death. Palm Sunday recalls the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem shortly before his death. Holy Thursday observes the Last Supper of Jesus with his disciples, or followers. Good Friday remembers the crucifixion, when Jesus was killed by being hung on a cross. Christians believe that the resurrection of Jesus, when he rose from the dead, took place on the third day after his death.The name Easter may come from Eostre, an Anglo-Saxon goddess. In ancient times, an annual spring festival was held in her honor. At that time, rabbits & colored eggs were symbols of new life, which is why they are associated with modern Easter celebrations. Easter Monday egg rolling, a custom of European origin, has become a tradition on the lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C.Another popular symbol of the holiday is the Easter Bunny, who is said to leave eggs & c&y for children in their homes on Easter morning. Egg hunts, baskets of c&y, & decorations with lilies are also traditions of the holiday.