Easter is an annual Christian celebration that takes place on the first Sunday after the Paschal full moon (the first full moon following the vernal equinox). It commemorates the resurrection of religious figure Jesus Christ. After the solemn observance of events in Christ’s life during the majority of the Holy Week, joy and celebration culminate on its final day, Easter Sunday. Every year, millions of Christians celebrate with feasts, communion with friends and family, and their own unique traditions.
Easter is considered one of the most significant occasions for Christians. Christ’s triumphant homecoming to the living symbolizes hope, renewal, and the triumph of life over death. Churches are often decorated with flowers, particularly lilies, and candles. Many Christians begin the holiday with Easter Vigil or sunrise services.
In addition to religious significance, Easter is also rich with secular traditions. The Easter bunny, another common symbol of Easter, is featured in many Western observances of the holiday. In many cultures, Easter eggs hold a prominent position in cultural celebrations. Slavic countries such as Poland and Ukraine are famed for their elaborate egg decorating techniques, where eggs are intricately designed with the help of wax and plant-based dyes. In the United States and Canada, Easter is commonly celebrated with Easter egg hunts, where adults hide plastic, candy-filled eggs for children to find. Locally, the City of Fairfax’s Parks and Recreation department is hosting an Easter egg hunt on April 17 at 8 pm. Dedicated for teens aged 10-14, the event promises to be an exciting challenge for participants due to the hunt’s occurrence in the dark, as well as the activities, crafts, and games also taking place.
For me, this Easter egg hunt brings back lovely memories from Easter’s past. Although my family doesn’t observe Easter like we did in my childhood, I fondly remember our own Easter egg hunts and rich meals with family as the holiday approaches every spring. Although my personal celebrations may vary throughout the years, Easter remains a time for gratitude, reflection, and remembrance for both me and other Christians around the world.