What is Easter?
Easter, Latin Pascha and Greek Pascha, is the principal festival of the Christian church, which celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his Crucifixion. Britannica Scholars: Easter The Resurrection is a central doctrine of Christianity and forms the basis of salvation and the hope of eternal life. Britannica Scholars: Easter
The earliest recorded observance of an Easter celebration comes from the 2nd century, though the commemoration of Jesus' Resurrection probably occurred earlier. Britannica Scholars: Easter Celebrations of the Resurrection of Christ date to the 2nd century ce and possibly earlier. Britannica Scholars: Easter bunny
It is still uncertain when Christians first began to make an annual (as opposed to a weekly) memorial of the death and resurrection of Christ. Church of England: Passiontide This Pascha (a word derived indirectly from pesach, Hebrew 'Passover') was at first a night-long vigil, followed by the celebration of the Eucharist at cock-crow. Church of England: Passiontide
In the Christian calendar, Easter follows Lent, the period of 40 days (not counting Sundays) before Easter, which traditionally is observed by acts of penance and fasting. Britannica Scholars: Easter In many churches Easter is preceded by a season of prayer, abstinence, and fasting called Lent, observed in memory of the 40 days' fast of Jesus in the desert. Britannica Students: Easter
Folk customs have gathered around the feast as well as the liturgy. We set those out on their own pages, and we do not treat them as a substitute for what the churches keep.
The use of painted and decorated Easter eggs was first recorded in the 13th century. Britannica Scholars: Easter The custom of associating a rabbit or bunny with Easter arose in Protestant areas in Europe in the 17th century but did not become common until the 19th century. Britannica Scholars: Easter
A short tour, then the harder questions of the date and the name: