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| | [[File:Carracci The Holy Women at the Tomb of Christ.jpg|thumb|[[Annibale Carracci]], The Holy Women at the Tomb of Christ, circa 1597-98.]] | | [[File:Carracci The Holy Women at the Tomb of Christ.jpg|thumb|[[Annibale Carracci]], The Holy Women at the Tomb of Christ, circa 1597-98.]] |
| − | '''Resurrection Sunday''' (more popularly known as '''Easter''') is the [[Christian]] holiday celebrating the [[resurrection of Jesus Christ]]. In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] the celebration is known as '''Pascha'''. | + | '''Resurrection Sunday''' (more popularly known as '''Easter''') is the [[Christian]] holiday celebrating the [[resurrection of Jesus Christ]]. In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] the celebration is known as Pascha. |
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| | The term is used in [[Mexico]]: "Domingo de Resurrección," which translates as Resurrection Sunday. In the [[United States]], many Christian churches continue to prefer the word ''Easter'' due to familiarity; however, ''Resurrection Sunday'' has gained favor in some Protestant churches in recent years, most often as a response to the possibly pagan origins of the name "Easter."<ref>http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-t020.html</ref> | | The term is used in [[Mexico]]: "Domingo de Resurrección," which translates as Resurrection Sunday. In the [[United States]], many Christian churches continue to prefer the word ''Easter'' due to familiarity; however, ''Resurrection Sunday'' has gained favor in some Protestant churches in recent years, most often as a response to the possibly pagan origins of the name "Easter."<ref>http://www.christiananswers.net/q-eden/edn-t020.html</ref> |
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| | + | There are at least 12 separate occasions on which [[Jesus]] was seen after his [[Resurrection]], including: |
| | + | *by [[Mary Magdalene]] (John 20:11-18) |
| | + | *by additional women (Matthew 28:8-10); |
| | + | *by two on the [[road to Emmaus]] (Luke 24:13-35); |
| | + | *by [[Peter]] (Luke 24:34); |
| | + | *by ten disciples (Luke 24:36-43 and John 20:19-24); |
| | + | *by all eleven disciples, eight days after the [[Resurrection]] (John 20:24-29); |
| | + | *by seven disciples near the Sea of Tiberius (John 21:1-23); |
| | + | *by many, including all eleven [[apostles]], at the Ascension (Acts 1:3-12); |
| | + | *by [[Paul]] (Acts 9:3-8); |
| | + | *by five hundred (1 Corinthians 15:6); |
| | + | *by James (1 Corinthians 15:7); and |
| | + | *by [[John]] (Revelation 1:12-18). |
| | + | Many others, including [[Mark]], had [[faith]] strong enough to believe without personally witnessing Jesus after his [[Resurrection]]. |
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| | It is by far the most important date in Christianity (even among churches which don't follow a liturgical calendar), due to the Resurrection being the event on which Christianity either stands or falls. Also, it is usually the date on which church attendance is the highest, resulting in churches often having additional services to handle the crowds (which also gives rise to the term "Easter and Christmas Christians" to define people who only attend on those days). Because Jesus rose from the dead at sunrise on Sunday morning, "sunrise services" are observed in some churches as well as in community gatherings. | | It is by far the most important date in Christianity (even among churches which don't follow a liturgical calendar), due to the Resurrection being the event on which Christianity either stands or falls. Also, it is usually the date on which church attendance is the highest, resulting in churches often having additional services to handle the crowds (which also gives rise to the term "Easter and Christmas Christians" to define people who only attend on those days). Because Jesus rose from the dead at sunrise on Sunday morning, "sunrise services" are observed in some churches as well as in community gatherings. |