Portal:Christianity/Article Archive/April 2006

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Easter is the most important religious holiday of the Christian liturgical year. With its date of observance dependent on the fluctuating lunar calendar, it may be celebrated during March, April or May to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, which Christians believe occurred after his death by crucifixion in AD 27-33 (see Good Friday). It is preceded by Lent, a 40-day period of reflection for Christians which commonly involves fasting, penitence and/or abstention from some form of pleasure.

Although considered significant by all denominations, Easter is explicitly the most important festival of the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches. Every other religious festival on their calendars, including Christmas, is at best secondary in importance to the celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord. This is not to say that Christmas and other elements of the Christian liturgical calendar are ignored; rather, these events are all seen as necessary but preliminary to the full climax of the Resurrection, in which all that has come before reaches fulfilment and fruition. (continued...)