Easter is a Christian celebration observed every year in late March or early April to remember the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
But what does the story of the execution of the "Son of God" by Roman soldiers 2,000 years ago have to do with chocolate eggs and magic rabbits?
According to the Bible's New Testament, Jesus was betrayed by his disciple Judas Iscariot in exchange for 30 pieces of silver following the Last Supper and was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Interrogated by the high priest Caiaphas as to whether he really was "the Anointed One" as he claimed, Jesus's reply was enough to see him hauled before Pontius Pilate, prefect of Judea.
Pilate heard the case against Jesus, who was accused of being a subversive influence, referred the matter to King Herod and finally asked the people of Jerusalem what they would have him do with the prophet.
The mob bayed for his crucifixion as a blasphemer and Pilate finally assented, pointedly washing his hands of the condemnation but consenting in order to prevent a riot.
Jesus dragged his cross to Calvary Hill on Good Friday 30AD where he was put to death, flanked on either side by two petty criminals sentenced to the same fate.
Christ writhed in agony for six hours from the wounds to his bound hands and feet and the mocking crown of thorns pressing into his forehead, during which time the sky is said to have darkened as he cried out: "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Christ Carrying The Cross by El Greco (Alfredo Dagli Orti /Rex)
He finally passed away with a terrible cry as the earth shook, the Gospels tell us. A centurion subsequently pierced his side with a lance to ascertain whether he was really dead.
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, secret acolytes, took Jesus's body and buried him in a tomb carved into a nearby rock face, binding him in a clean linen shroud and treating his flesh with myrrh and aloes before rolling a boulder in front of its entrance.
Two days later, Mary Magdalene arrived to find the grave empty. Jesus appeared resurrected before her - a miracle interpreted by Christians as final proof of the divine on earth - and before his 11 remaining disciples in Galilee thereafter, before ascending to the heavens 40 days later, vowing to return one day.
Christians around the world relive these events every year with masses, services and processions (see Mexico's spectacular interpretation below) while the Passion of Jesus has been immortalised in devotional art and music for centuries.
The annual festival begins with Lent on Ash Wednesday, 46 days before Easter Sunday, takes in Ascension Day 39 days later and ends with Pentecost or Whitsun 10 days after that, the last date honouring the Holy Spirit.
Lent is a period of self-denial that sees worshippers refrain from luxuries for 40 days (excluding Sundays) in the run-up to Easter Sunday, a deprivation intended as a daily reminder of Christ's far greater sacrifice.
The period is celebrated with cakes, hot cross buns and chocolate eggs, treats representing the crucifixion and rebirth, while lilies decorate church chancels to evoke resurrection.
These symbols - and Easter's timing close to the onset of spring - tie it to the Jewish Passover, as does the etymology of the word "Easter", which is derived from "Eastre" the Germanic Old English translation of "Passover".
Celebrating Easter in Mexico with a crucifixion
11 show all Celebrating Easter in Mexico with a crucifixion
1/11 'Jesus' is a churchgoer from the town Susannah Rigg
2/11 The church in Animas Trujano Susannah Rigg
3/11 Gathering round the cross Susannah Rigg
4/11 Erecting the cross Susannah Rigg
5/11 Jesus crosses the road Susannah Rigg
6/11 It's more of a day out for locals than anything else Susannah Rigg
7/11 Parasols out, because the sun beats hard Susannah Rigg
8/11 Jesus parades through the town Susannah Rigg
9/11 It's a family day out for the people of Animas Trujano Susannah Rigg
10/11 There's a fiesta feel to the procession Susannah Rigg
11/11 Everyone follows the cross Susannah Rigg
The Easter Bunny and the associated egg hunt obviously played no part in the Passion and originates instead from German Lutheran traditions as an amusement for children.
Loosely aligned with the Virgin Mary as a symbol of miraculous fertility, the "Easter Hare" was originally envisioned in 17th century folklore as being akin to Father Christmas, judging children on their behaviour and deciding whether they deserved seasonal confections or not.
Bob Vander Plaats is the president and CEO of The Family Leader, a social conservative organization, and a former national co-chair for Ted Cruz for President. The opinions expressed in this commentary are his.
(CNN) In the past week, both Erin Burnett of CNN and Katy Tur of MSNBC have engaged in a national conversation about evangelicals and forgiving a most controversial subject: Donald Trump.
Bob Vander Plaats
While there is value in these discussions, there is danger in looking at forgiveness and faith through the lens of politics. As we head into Easter weekend, I want us to look higher than headlines -- to look through God's eyes, rather than our own.
For God doesn't look at us like we look at each other, doesn't judge as we judge, and isn't swayed by politics. The Bible insists that God holds us all to the same standard: his own perfection. And against that standard, we all sin and fall short of his glory. None of us is righteous. None of us has merited his favor, and we all deserve his judgment. Worse yet, the Bible says, the judgment for our sin is death.
Read More
Easter most generally falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the vernal equinox. The 2018 equinox came on March 20, marking an unofficial beginning of spring for the Northern Hemisphere. The first full moon after the March equinox comes on Saturday, March 31. Voila. In 2018, Easter Sunday is the following day, April 1.
The Council of Nicaea – first ecumenical council of the Christian church – established the date of Easter when it met in Turkey in the year 325 CE. By ecclesiastical rules set centuries ago, there are 35 dates on which Easter can take place. The earliest possible date for Easter is March 22 and the latest possible date is April 25.
2018 doesn’t hold a record for the earliest possible Easter. The earliest Easter in the 21st century came in the year 2008 (March 23, 2008). Another March 23 Easter won’t come again until the year 2160.
The last time Easter fell on March 22 (earliest possible date) was in 1818, and the next time will be in 2285. The most recent time an Easter came in March was March 27, 2016.
The century’s latest Easter will occur in the year 2038 (April 25, 2038). After that, it will next fall on April 25 in the year 2190.
More dates at http://tlarsen2.tripod.com/thomaslarsen/easterdates.html
Easter can never come as early as March 21 because, by ecclesiastical rules, the vernal equinox is fixed on March 21. That’s in spite of the fact that in the 21st century (2001 to 2100) every March equinox after the year 2007 will fall on March 19 or March 20.
Moreover, an ecclesiastical full moon does not necessarily happen on the same date as an astronomical full moon. Therefore, it’s possible for an ecclesiastical Easter and an astronomical Easter to occur on different dates, as well.
Next year, in 2019, the full moon will come on March 21, 2019 (after the spring equinox). Yet, the ecclesiastical Easter will fall on April 21, 2019, whereas the astronomical Easter will take place March 24, 2019.
Bottom line: How the date of Easter is determined, and some dates of earliest and latest Easters. Happy Easter to all who celebrate it!
Good Friday is about to get better for publicans in the Republic of Ireland. Why? Because they can finally toast the Easter holiday with a pint.
For almost a century, selling alcohol had been banned on Good Friday - a legacy of Ireland's Christian traditions.
But in January 2018 the Irish parliament passed new legislation which means this year will be different.
So what's the story for 2018? And who stands to gain from the change?
What's different this year?
Pubs in the Republic will welcome Easter revellers from 10:30 until closing time at 00:30.
Off-licences may see some changes too, with fewer booze-desiring customers stocking up a day in advance.
Good Friday is traditionally a popular time for house parties in the Republic, as friends and loved ones gather at home instead of the local boozer. But with the pub doors suddenly open, some may decide they'd rather skip the washing-up.
It's good news for tourists seeking a tipple too. On Good Fridays past, hapless foreigners unaware of the drinks ban could be found wandering the streets of Dublin in a futile search for a pint. The most dedicated were even spotted boarding trains or ferries to exploit an infamous loophole - the on-board bar.
Why did the law change?
Easter is a busy tourist period, and the extra day's trade is set to boost the Irish economy.
According to publicans' group the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) - whose interest is clear - it could generate as much as 40m euros (£35m; $49m) in sales - plus 7m for the exchequer through VAT and excise duty.
"The Good Friday ban is from a different era," the group's chief executive, Padraig Cribben, said. "Like all other businesses who were never subject to a ban, publicans now have a choice to open."
...but is everyone toasting the change?
The Roman Catholic Church held considerable influence in the Republic historically, and some would still prefer an alcohol-free Friday on religious grounds.
Back in January, critics said the altered legislation also undermined the government's goal of reducing the harm caused by alcohol.
Independent TD (Irish member of parliament) Maureen O'Sullivan spoke frankly, asking: "Are we saying that the only tourists we want are those who can't last 24 hours without buying a drink in a public house?"
"I actually think we could do with a few Good Fridays throughout the year," she added.
Perhaps mindful that not everyone approves of them opening, some hostelries have decided to give their Good Friday takings to charity.
And in rural Newmarket, a little town in Cork, the six local publicans put their heads together - and agreed to keep their doors bolted.
John Scanlon of Scanlon's Bar explained: "We have only two days off each year, Christmas Day and Good Friday, and we want to hold on to that. It is a day publicans want to spend with their families."
What about north of the border?
In Northern Ireland pubs can open on Good Friday but may only serve alcohol between 17:00 and 23:00.
The hospitality sector has called for the North to have the same options as the Republic.
Colin Neill, chief executive of Hospitality Ulster, believes serving restrictions will cost the North's pubs and restaurants £20m in trade over the Easter weekend.
What's your drinking nationality?
How does your drinking measure up to the average in countries around the world? Find out below if you are similar to a boozy Belarusian or a teetotal Kuwaiti.
How much have you drunk in the past week? Pints of beer
(568ml) Glasses of wine
(175ml) Spirits
(25ml) Show other drinks Cider or sorghum beer
(Pints/568ml glasses) Fortified wine, eg port
(70ml glasses) Rice wine, eg sake
(125ml carafes) Which country are you from? Enter a country in the field below Search for counties See how you compare You drink most like you're from (but this is not a very good match) Not a drinker?
Most people from Kuwait also abstain How apt! You Litres of pure alcohol per year You drink more heavily than people from Belarus, the heaviest-drinking country in the world Litres of pure alcohol per person per year, by country Heaviest-drinking Belarus (17.5 litres) Lightest-drinking Kuwait (0.1 litres) Overall alcohol consumption: Heaviest Lightest No data Countries and their favourite type of alcoholic drink: Beer Wine Spirits Other No data
If you cannot see the calculator, click here.
