Christians around the world will be celebrating the most important event of the church year on April 9: Easter Sunday, the Christian Passover.
They celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the most joyful event in the Christian calendar, on that day. It signifies the promise of everlasting life for all who believe.
In fact, the entire week leading up to Easter Sunday has days of significance, though some days are observed more or differently throughout the many Christian traditions.
The Sunday preceding Easter is called Palm Sunday, honoring Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The next day, Holy Monday, traditionally honors the day Jesus cleansed the Temple. On Holy Tuesday, Jesus predicts his death. Holy Wednesday, also called Spy Wednesday, is when Judas arranged the betrayal of Jesus. Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper. Finally there is Good Friday, marking the day Jesus was crucified. Why is the day called Good? Some say the word originally meant Holy or Sacred. On Holy Saturday, the church is in waiting since, as Saturday was the Jewish Sabbath day and observant Jews could not complete his burial. Easter Vigil begins after sundown on Saturday, when liturgical churches have a service of light, reading of the Bible, baptisms, and communion.
Finally, Holy Week culminates wtih Easter, and it is said the sun jumps for joy as it rises. The legend may be one of the reasons that many churches hold sunrise services on Easter Sunday.
On Sunday as the sun rose, Mary, the mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and others hurried to the sepulcher where Jesus was laid. They worried that they would not be able to roll away the great stone that closed it, but then they saw that the grave was already open.
Upon entering, they saw an angel and were very much afraid. According to the gospel of St. Mark, the angel said to them:
"Be not afraid. You seek Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here: behold the place where they laid him.
"Go your way. Tell his disciples and Peter that he has gone before you into Galilee. There you shall see him, as he said."
They went out quickly. They trembled and were amazed.
