Easter is the central holy day of the Christian faith, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
According to Christian belief, Jesus was persecuted, died for the sins of humanity, and rose from the dead on the third day. For Christians, the resurrection is a source of daily hope and assurance of victory over sin and the promise of eternal life.
Easter is preceded by a series of significant observances that form the core of the Christian liturgical calendar:
- Ash Wednesday: Marks the beginning of Lent. Worshippers often receive a cross of ashes on their foreheads as a symbol of repentance and mortality.
- Lent: A 40-day period of fasting, self-denial, prayer, and reflection, modeled after Jesus’s 40 days of fasting in the desert. Many Christians give up certain foods, drinks, or habits during this time.
- Palm Sunday: Commemorates Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem, where he was greeted by crowds who hailed him as the Messiah and laid palm branches in his path.
- Maundy Thursday: Marks the Last Supper, when Jesus shared a final meal with his disciples and instituted the practice of Holy Communion.
- Good Friday: Observes the crucifixion and death of Jesus, a solemn day of reflection on suffering, sacrifice, and redemption.
- Easter Sunday: Celebrates Jesus’s resurrection and is regarded by Christians as the foundation of their faith.
Many Easter traditions are also connected to Passover, the Jewish festival that commemorates the Israelites’ escape from slavery in Egypt. The timing of Easter is closely linked to the Passover season, and several traditional Easter foods—such as lamb—reflect this shared heritage.
Together, these observances form a deeply meaningful period for Christians around the world, combining historical remembrance, spiritual reflection, and celebration.
In Western churches, Easter always falls on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25. Eastern Orthodox churches follow a different calendar, and for them, Easter falls on a Sunday between April 4 and May 8 each year. This year, Easter falls on Sunday, April 5th.
All students, staff, faculty and the surrounding community are invited to attend Holy Week services at the Catholic Student Center at Washington University. We encourage everyone to experience the joy of these services and maybe even find your home away from home at the Catholic Student Center. Easter Mass will be celebrated at Graham Chapel on Sunday, April 5th at 10 am. Details here.