Keep Easter traditions with these alternatives to eggs
Here are some ways to get creative this Easter, that are cheaper than eggs and just as fun to decorate.
The days leading to Easter Sunday are often colored by secular traditions like egg decorating and photo ops with a person costumed as a bunny.
Easter week, however, holds a deeply significant meaning for billions of believers worldwide. Yearly, Christians of distinct denominations will dedicate several days to honor the Biblical story of Jesus Christ.
Holy Week unfolds for Christians with dates that vary from year to year. Nonetheless, the purpose for the days observed by the faithful remain unwavering for them. These holy days have been established for millennia as a leadup to when Christ promised his flock redemption for their sins.
Here is what to know about Holy Week.
What are the dates for Holy Week 2025?
For many Christians, Holy Week 2025 runs April 13-20.
Dates vary yearly based on the lunar calendar. The week’s concluding day, Easter Sunday, lands on the first Sunday following the Paschal full moon. This full moon occurs on or after the spring equinox, whose 2025 astronomical date was March 20.
Holy Week is marked by Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday.
When is Palm Sunday 2025?
April 13 marks Palm Sunday in 2025. Believers celebrate Palm Sunday a week before Easter Sunday and as the day Christ entered Jerusalem.
Catholics will carry blessed palm branches into church as a welcoming gesture honoring Christ having ridden into Jerusalem on a donkey.
Is Lent a Catholic practice?
The Lenten period is when Catholic observers fast — one full meal and two smaller meals not adding up to one full meal — between Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. Adult Catholics are expected to abstain from meat on Fridays during Lent.
The Anglican Church and Episcopal Church faithful also partake in Lent.
When does Lent end in 2025?
In 2025, Lent began with Ash Wednesday, March 5, and ends Holy Thursday, April 17.
What is Holy Thursday 2025?
The Bible’s New Testament narrates Holy Thursday as when Christ and his 13 disciples gather for the Last Supper, a final meal together before Christ is crucified. He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, where he was arrested.
When is Good Friday 2025?
Falling on April 18 in 2025, Good Friday is when Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Christ.
The day is alternately known as Black Friday, Holy Friday, Great Friday, and Good Friday of the Passion of the Lord.
What is Easter about?
The New Testament describes Easter Sunday as the third day after Christ was crucified and when he resurrected himself from the dead.
When is Easter 2025?
Many Christians in 2025 will celebrate Easter Sunday on April 20. The day is also referred to as Resurrection Sunday.
Do some Christians celebrate Easter on another date?
The Eastern Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar, which is believed to have been in use when Christ roamed the earth. Easter Sunday was celebrated by Orthodox Christians on May 5 in 2024.
In 2025, Orthodox Christians will observe Easter Sunday on April 20 just as Christians following the lunar calendar.
USA TODAY Network reporter Maria Francis and The Republic reporter Nadia Cantú contributed to this article.
