Christians across the world are celebrating Easter on Sunday with great religious fervour.
People attend masses in the Church and exchange gifts to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Easter, one of the most festive and significant festival among Christians worldwide, commemorates resurrection of Jesus Christ from death.
The day also known as Resurrection Sunday, marks the end of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer and penance, and is followed by a 50-day period called Eastertide, which ends with Pentecost Sunday.
Easter Sunday is preceded by the Holy Week which is marked by Jesus’s triumphal entrance to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday, and his death and crucifixion on Good Friday.
It is believed that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day on Easter Sunday.
Easter customs vary across the Christian world.
People read passages from the Bible, sing the Gloria and Alleluia and celebrate Holy Communion on this day.
Additional customs that have become associated with Easter and are observed by all Christians include decorating Easter eggs – a symbol of the empty tomb – egg hunting, the Easter Bunny, and Easter parades.
Eggs of some form are often hidden, supposedly by a rabbit or hare, and people, especially children, search for them.
Easter, though, is a special time for family gatherings and festivities, it is also a time for the remembrance of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and the miracle of his resurrection through which the Church is born, nurtured and continues to this day.