Journalism of Courage
Easter, considered the most important Christian festival, celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his Crucifixion. Christian worshippers are seen holding palm leaves as they pray in front of parliament during the March of Hope ahead of Easter weekend in Cape Town. (Reuters)
Pope Francis urged his priests to avoid “clerical hypocrisy” and treat their flocks with mercy as he delivered a lengthy set of marching orders to Rome-based priests at the start of a busy few days leading to Easter. The Mass was the first major papal liturgy in St. Peter’s since Bernini's great columned canopy over the altar was covered in scaffolding for a months-long renovation and cleaning. Seen here is Pope Francis attending the Chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. (Reuters)
Good Friday, which precedes Easter, commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and is a solemn and reflective holiday for Christians, marked by special church services, fasting, and the Veneration of the cross. Seen here are children dressed as penitents, carrying a doll depicting the statue of Virgin Mary on a small weighted platform, known traditionally as "trono", as they take part in a small procession, on a street outside a school, during the "Viernes de Dolores" day (Friday of Sorrows) in Spain. (Reuters)
The date of Easter sparked early controversies in Christianity, leading to the Council of Nicaea in 325 decreeing that Easter should be observed on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox. Seen here is a Christian worshipper carrying a cross in a re-enactment of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ as they attend the March of Hope ahead of Easter weekend in Cape Town. (Reuters)
The term "Easter" likely comes from the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring, Eostre, but its association with bunnies and eggs is a blend of Christian and non-Christian elements over centuries. It is associated with various traditions worldwide that symbolise rebirth, renewal, and the victory of life over death. People in this picture walk beside structures depicting Easter eggs painted in the traditional naive art style in Croatia. (Reuters)
The symbol of the cross and images of Jesus Christ are central to Easter, representing the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus. These symbols are often depicted in paintings, statues, and church decorations. Hooded penitents, rear, known as "Los Ensacados" (men in sacks) prepare for a Holy Tuesday procession in Spain's Tarazona. Hundreds of processions will take place throughout Spain during the Easter Holy Week. (AP)
Many churches hold special services on Easter Sunday, including hymns, scripture readings, and candle lighting. Families often gather together to celebrate, and there are cultural traditions like Easter egg hunts and special foods, like hot cross buns. A Kamchatka brown bear eats an Easter egg filled with food pellets, fruit and nuts at a zoo in Germany. (Reuters)
Various churches hold a religious service called Easter Vigil on Saturday to mark the onset of Easter. French artisan chocolatier for 'La Maison du Chocolat' Nicolas Cloiseau prepares the Time-Trial Egg, an Olympics-themed chocolate giant egg created for Easter, at the company's workshop in Nanterre near Paris. (Reuters)
Different regions have unique Easter traditions, like painting eggs red in Greece to symbolize rebirth and the blood of Jesus. In Ethiopia, a fasting period similar to Lent precedes Easter Sunday celebrations. Here, Christian worshippers hold palm leaves and placards as they attend the March of Hope ahead of Easter weekend in Cape Town. (Reuters)
Though celebrated with diverse cultural and religious practices, Easter is a time for joy, reflection, family gatherings, and religious observances. Seen here is a man walking next to structures depicting Easter eggs painted in the traditional naive art style in Koprivnica, Croatia. (Reuters)
