The meaning of the Easter story

The holiday of Easter is a festival celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, which is the foundation upon which the Christian faith is based.

After his trial and prosecution by the Romans in around 30AD, Jesus of Nazareth, a prophet who travelled around ancient Judea and Jerusalem and gave sermons and performed miracles, according to the Bible, was condemned to crucifixion.

The Bible says that after a long walk carrying his own cross through the streets of Jerusalem, he endured pain and suffering during his time on the cross, dying on what is now considered Good Friday.

He was buried but then, as the New Testament describes, he came back to life on this third day, Easter Sunday, and ascended into heaven.

His death has been interpreted by many as a self-sacrifice for the salvation of humankind and the events inspired a new religious movement based on his teachings.

The symbolism of his resurrection connects his followers to a new way of life.

Easter is known as a moveable feast, which relates to the fact it can fall on a different date each year, however it is generally calculated as happening on the third Sunday after the full moon equinox in March.

This advertising feature is sponsored by the following:

This year, Easter Sunday falls on April 21.

It is the day that the period of fasting or self-denial known as Lent comes to an end and the rebirth of Jesus is observed.

People celebrate the occasion in many ways, from devout religious practices, church services and processions, to the simple act of sharing a meal, the giving and receiving of eggs or even an Easter egg hunt.

In Australia, a Sunday roast, usually lamb, might be enjoyed, as well as fresh hot cross buns which have the symbolic cross on the top.

An empty cross shows that Jesus has risen from the dead, hence the eating of the buns on Easter Sunday.

Like Christmas, many non-Christians enjoy the holiday as well.