Easter is a principal Christian festival that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, which is believed to have occurred on the third day after his crucifixion by the Romans around 30 AD

. It is the culmination of the Passion of Jesus and is considered the most important and joyful celebration in the Christian liturgical calendar, symbolizing victory over sin and death and offering believers the promise of eternal life

. The celebration of Easter follows a period of fasting and penance called Lent, lasting 40 days, and is preceded by Holy Week, which includes significant days such as Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday (commemorating the Last Supper), Good Friday (the day of Jesus' crucifixion), and Holy Saturday (the day Jesus was laid to rest)

. Easter also has connections to the Jewish Passover, as Jesus' Last Supper was a Passover meal, and the resurrection is linked to themes of new life and hope

. Traditions associated with Easter include church services, festive family meals, prayer, all-night vigils, sunrise services, and cultural customs like Easter egg decoration and gift-giving

. In summary, Easter celebrates Jesus Christ's resurrection, which is central to Christian faith as it signifies life triumphing over death and the promise of eternal salvation