Current：Home > InvestWhat is Holy Saturday? What the day before Easter means for Christians around the world -DollarDynamic
What is Holy Saturday? What the day before Easter means for Christians around the world
View
Date：2025-04-14 15:24:06
Easter Sunday is this upcoming weekend, which means the preceding Saturday is known as Holy Saturday.
According to Britannica, Holy Saturday is a Christian religious observance that ends the Lenten season. The observance "commemorates the final day of Christ's death," according to Britannica, which many Christians traditionally associate with his "triumphant descent into hell or 'to the dead.'" The day comes between Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
Easter is an important holiday for the millions of people around the world who follow the Christian faith as the day celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The holiday occurs after a 40-day period known as Lent.
Church services, reflection and prayer are some ways that people observe the holiday. Others enjoy a more secular celebration of Easter filled with bunnies, baskets and colorful eggs.
Good Friday:Are banks, post offices, UPS and FedEx open? Here's what to know
When is Holy Saturday? When is Easter?
This year, Holy Saturday is on Saturday, March 30, 2024. Easter Sunday is on Sunday, March 31, 2024.
Why is Easter so early in 2024?
Easter's date changes depending on the year. The holiday is one of several "moveable feasts" in the liturgical year, the History Channel reports. Others include Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday.
Easter is observed on the first Sunday following the Paschal full moon, which is the first full moon on or after the spring equinox. Since Western Christianity uses the Gregorian calendar, Easter typically falls on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25, according to the History Channel.
In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, the date of Easter also varies. The branch follows the Julian calendar, meaning orthodox Easter falls between April 4 and May 8, the History Channel reports. This year, it will take place on Sunday, May 5, 2024.
Contributing: Olivia Munson, USA TODAY
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.
veryGood！ (27438)
Related
- The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
- Aryna Sabalenka is about to be No. 1 in the WTA rankings. She could be the new US Open champ, too
- US Open tennis balls serving up controversy, and perhaps, players' injuries
- New Commanders ownership has reignited the debate over the NFL team’s old name
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- New Commanders ownership has reignited the debate over the NFL team’s old name
- Suspect on the loose after brutally beating, sexually assaulting university student
- Ancient Roman bust seized from Massachusetts museum in looting probe
- Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
- What to know about acute liver failure, Steve Harwell of Smash Mouth's cause of death
Ranking
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- #novaxdjokovic: Aaron Rodgers praises Novak Djokovic's position on COVID-19 vaccine
- Ancient Roman bust seized from Massachusetts museum in looting probe
- A half-century after Gen. Augusto Pinochet’s coup, some in Chile remember the dictatorship fondly
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
- See Beyoncé's awe-inspiring Renaissance outfits, looks throughout career as tour nears end
- How I learned that creativity and vulnerability go hand in hand
- Arizona superintendent to use COVID relief for $40 million tutoring program
Recommendation
EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
Complaints over campaign comments by Wisconsin Supreme Court justice are dismissed
California woman accused in $2 million murder-for-hire plot to kill husband
Maya Hawke Roasts Dad Ethan Hawke for Trying to Flirt With Rihanna
Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
2 adults, 2 children and dog found dead in Seattle house after fire and reported shooting; 11-year-old girl escapes
University of Arkansas gets $2.5 million grant to study exercise and aging
Price Is Right Host Bob Barker’s Cause of Death Revealed