As the most significant feast in the Church, Easter embodies the essence of Christian belief, celebrating the victory over death and the promise of salvation.
St. Paul the Apostle encapsulates the crux of Easter in his Letter to the Corinthians: "Christ died - according to Scripture - for our sins, was buried, rose from the dead on the third day, according to Scripture, and appeared to Kephas and then to the Twelve."
This narrative lays the foundational truth of Jesus' passion, death, and resurrection, establishing Easter as the pinnacle of the liturgical year, often referred to as the New Passover.
Pope Benedict XVI, in 2008, described the resurrection as an event steeped in love - the love of the Father who sacrifices His Son for the world, the Son's self-giving for humanity, and the Spirit's power in raising Jesus to life in a glorified body.
The Gospels recount the dawn of Easter as the moment when Christ's resurrection was first discovered, with Mary Magdalene and other women playing pivotal roles as the first witnesses to the empty tomb and the risen Christ.
Historically, Easter's timing aligns with the Jewish Passover, reflecting the deep connections between the two celebrations. Since the Council of Nicaea in 325, Easter's date varies each year, falling on the first Sunday after the full moon following the March equinox, between March 22 and April 25.
Easter traditions have evolved, but the essence remains the same - from the early morning Resurrection processions to the lighting of the paschal candle, symbolizing Christ, the Light of the World. The Easter season, extending to Pentecost, invites the faithful to reflect on the gift of new life and redemption.
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Source: PAP