Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the most important Christian festival, and the one celebrated with the greatest joy.

Christians celebrate this day in observance of their belief that Jesus Christ rose from the dead two days after his crucifixion. Easter Sunday is the principal feast of the ecclesiastical year.

On Good Friday, Jesus Christ was executed by crucifixion. His body was taken down from the cross, and buried in a cave. The tomb was guarded and an enormous stone was put over the entrance, so that no-one could steal the body.

On the following Sunday, some women visited the grave and found that the stone had been moved, and that the tomb was empty. Jesus himself was seen that day, and for days afterwards by many people. His followers realised that God had raised Jesus from the dead.

The word they used for the celebration was 'Pascha'. Pascha is the fundamental and most important festival of the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches. The Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox churches calculate Pascha (Easter Sunday) differently.

Easter eggs symbolise new life. The first eggs given at this festival were birds eggs. These eggs were painted in bright colours to give them further meaning as a gift.