Being raised as a Roman Catholic in Bangladesh – a country where approximately more than 90% of the population are Muslims and which is the fourth largest Muslim populated country in the world – says a lot about how boring it can be during our big religious events as we Christians are approximately 0.30% of the total population, with a significant number being Roman Catholics.
So, you already have an idea by now that it isn’t something widely celebrated, but it doesn’t take away the significance of it. Buckle up because after this, you will know what Easter exactly means and how it is celebrated.Easter Sunday commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. According to the New Testament of the Bible, Jesus, the son of God, was crucified on Good Friday and died. We will talk about Good Friday in a bit, no worries.
Christians celebrate Easter during the Easter Vigil at Tejgaon Holy Rosary Church in Dhaka on Saturday night (19 April). Photo: Sadiqe Al Ashfaqe
This crucifixion was a pivotal event, believed to be a sacrifice for the sins of humanity. The tomb where his body was placed was found empty on the third day of his death – a Sunday – and the resurrected Christ appeared to his followers.
What leads to this day?
A month of fasting. Yes, that’s right. Well, the official term is Lent, The Season of Lent. While both Lent and Ramadan in Islam involve fasting and spiritual reflection, they are distinct practices with different origins, durations, purposes and rules. But then again, this is something that has always been interesting to me personally.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, the day that marks the beginning of Lent during which Christians attend church to receive ashes that are typically made from the burned palm branches used in the Palm Sunday services of the previous year. Lent traditionally last for 40 days. This timeframe is symbolic as it echoes the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert before beginning his public ministry. It is a time for reflection, repentance, prayer and self-denial.
“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” a verse from Genesis 3:19. The priest often says these words during the Ash Wednesday church service while using ash to make the sign of a cross on the foreheads of worshippers.
What is the fasting process like?
Historically, the Lenten fast involved abstaining from meat, dairy products, eggs and sometimes even fish. The idea was to simplify one’s life, deny oneself certain comforts and focus on spiritual matters to identify with Christ’s suffering and sacrifice. Now, in contemporary practice, the concept of “fasting” during Lent has broadened for many.
While some still adhere to the traditional dietary restrictions, others may choose to “fast” from other things they enjoy or rely on, such as social media, television, drinks or other non-essential luxuries. The underlying principle remains the same.
For many denominations, particularly Catholics, Ash Wednesday is a day of fasting where they eat only one full meal and two smaller meals that together don’t equal a full meal, and abstinence from meat. This practice continues on all Fridays during Lent.
Unlike Ramadan, the fasting process of Lent is not a rigorous daily fast from dawn to sunset with specific rules about what is prohibited.
The Holy Week
The week that leads up to Easter Sunday is known as the Holy Week. To understand the significance of Easter Sunday, it is crucial to know the events that precede it in the Christian calendar.
Christians celebrate Easter during the Easter Vigil at Tejgaon Holy Rosary Church in Dhaka on Saturday night (19 April). Photo: Sadiqe Al Ashfaqe
Palm Sunday: This day, which falls the Sunday before Easter, marks the beginning of the holy week and commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. The Gospels describe how Jesus rode into the city on a donkey, and the crowds welcomed him by laying palm branches and their cloaks on the road, hailing him as the Messiah. Churches often distribute palm branches to congregants on this day.
Holy Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: These days are often marked by reflection on Jesus’ teachings and the events leading up to his arrest. The Gospels recount various parables, teachings, and interactions Jesus had during this time, including his confrontations with religious authorities.
Holy Thursday (also known as Maundy Thursday): This day commemorates the Last Supper, the final meal Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion. During this meal Jesus instituted the Eucharist (also known as Holy Communion or the Lord’s Supper), where he shared bread and wine with his disciples, symbolizing his body and blood sacrificed for them. Maundy Thursday church services often include the reenactment of the washing of the disciples’ feet by Jesus, symbolizing humility and service.
The name “Maundy” comes from the Latin word “Mandatum,” meaning ‘Commandment,” referring to Jesus’ command to his disciples to love one another.
Good Friday: This solemn day commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ on the cross. It is a day of mourning and reflection on the immense sacrifice Jesus made. Some Christians observe Good Friday with fasting and abstinence.
Holy Saturday: This is a day of waiting and anticipation. It marks the day Jesus’ body lay in the tomb. It is a day of quiet reflection on the events of Good Friday and the anticipation of the resurrection. However, some churches hold an Easter Vigil service on Holy Saturday night, a powerful and symbolic service that anticipates the joy of Easter. This vigil often includes lighting of a new Paschal candle (symbolising the light of Christ).
Easter Sunday is the culmination of Holy Week, a period of intense spiritual significance for Christians. It is the triumphant conclusion to a narrative of sacrifice, suffering and ultimately, the victory over death.
This resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. It signifies the victory of life over death, good or evil, and offers believers the promise of eternal life through faith
Churches hold special services filled with uplifting music, prayers of gratitude, and sermons that recount the Easter story and its meaning. Beyond the religious services, Easter has also become intertwined with various cultural traditions, many of which have been adopted over time. Think of Easter bunny and Easter eggs. While their exact origins are debated, they often symbolise new life, fertility, and the arrival of spring.
Unlike Christmas, which falls on a fixed date, Easter is a movable feast. Its date is determined by the lunar calendar. Specifically, Easter Sunday falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox. This means Easter can fall anywhere between late March and late April. This year, Easter Sunday is on 20th April.
Even though it is celebrated grandly abroad, the significance of it stays the same even here in Bangladesh. Families often gather for special meals, sharing in the joy and the spirit of Easter even if it comes with the struggle of no official holiday.
Even if you don’t share the Christian faith, Easter Sunday offers a powerful message of hope and renewal that resonates universally. It is a reminder of the cyclical nature of life, the triumph over adversity, and the potential for new beginnings.