(Metro News Service) Easter is an important day on the Christian calendar. According to the Compact Atlas of Global Christianity, roughly 2.6 billion people across the globe identify as Christians. As Easter Sunday approaches, answering some frequently asked questions about this important holiday can be a great way for Christians and non-Christians to refresh their knowledge and maybe even learn something new about the holiday.

What does Easter celebrate?

Christians believe that God raised Jesus from the dead three days after his Crucifixion, and Easter celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Do all Christians celebrate Easter on the same day?

No. Most Christian churches adhere to the Gregorian calendar and celebrate Easter on what is widely referred to as “Easter Sunday” by secular organizations and other agencies. But Christian Orthodox churches utilize the Julian calendar to determine when to celebrate Easter. So that is why there is some disparity between the timing of Easter celebrations within Christian churches.

How did Good Friday get its name?

Non-Christians may wonder why Christians characterize the day Jesus Christ was crucified as “good.” Though the notion of Jesus Christ being subjected to abuse and crucifixion is anything but good, Christians believe Christ’s willingness to be crucified for their sin ensured their redemption. In addition, Trinity College notes that “good” in this context refers to something “holy” or “pious.”

What is Holy Week?

Holy Week is the week leading up to Easter. Various days during Holy Week have their own special significance to Christians. Palm Sunday, Holy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday are notable days during Holy Week.

How does the Easter Bunny fit into Christian celebrations of Easter?

Though it’s easy to dismiss the Easter Bunny as a secular symbol that has little to do with faith-based celebrations of Easter, reality is not so simple. According to the Smithsonian, archaeologists believe humans living during the Neolithic Age viewed hares as a symbol of rebirth and assigned a religious significance to burial rituals in which Neolithic peoples buried hares alongside human remains. So while an abnormally large bunny delivering candy and chocolate eggs might not have anything to do with faith-based Easter celebrations, the choice of animal may bear some relation to the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ.

Easter is a celebratory day on the Christian calendar. In 2026, Easter will be celebrated on Sunday, April 5, in most Christian churches. Orthodox Christian churches will celebrate Easter on Sunday, April 12.