Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday is a joyful day for Christians because they believe that Jesus rose from the dead on this day. They believe that Jesus’ resurrection, or coming alive, shows that death is not the end. Many go to church to thank God for Jesus’ life. Church bells are rung and churches are decorated with flowers such as white lilies, which are associated with Easter. The colours in the church change to white or gold.

The front of an altar at Easter — Front of the altar at Easter

An Easter pulpit fall — The Easter pulpit fall

An Easter Sunday stole — Vicar’s Easter Sunday stole

An Easter chasuble — Vicar’s Easter chasuble

Photographs courtesy of St James’s Church, Hampton Hill.

There are many Easter Day customs involving eggs. For this reason, Easter Day was once known as Egg Sunday. For the last two hundred years in Britain, giving children chocolate eggs has been popular. In Europe and America, parents also hide chocolate eggs for children to find. In many countries children are given hard-boiled eggs and decorate them by painting or dyeing them in bright colours.

Eggs were thought to be special even before Jesus was born because they are associated with new life when a chick breaks out of its egg. After Jesus had risen from the dead, it was easy to think of eggs as a sign of new life. Eggs have therefore long been part of Easter celebrations.

Discover Easter egg traditions