Easter 2014: Christians Celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

By Katie Chan 19 Apr, 2014 13:33 EDT

Easter, also known as Resurrection Sunday, is on April 20, 2014. Jesus was crucified on Good Friday, and rose from the dead after three days. Through his death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus paid the penalty for sin, thus for all who believe in him will have eternal life in Heaven.

Easter Sunday is preceded by Holy Week, it marks the important events of Jesus' life as described in the four book of Gospels -- his triumphal entrance to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday, and his death and crucifixion on Good Friday.

Before the celebration of resurrection on Easter, Christians remember the sacrifice and love of Jesus on the cross.

In Rome, Pope Francis led a Catholic ceremoney at Colosseum known as the Way of the Cross, commemorating "desperate migrants, battered women, torture victims and all people suffering in the world." Earlier the Pope visited a home for the elderly and disabled to wash the feet of 12 disabled people of different ages and ethnicities.

In Jerusalem, the holy fire ceremony draws tens of thousands of Orthodox Christians on April 19. Christians believe Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected at the site where the Church of the Holy Sepulcher now stands in the Old City of Jerusalem.

Pope Francis kisses the foot of a man as he performs the traditional washing of the feet during a visit at a center for disabled people as part of Holy Thursday.

Christian pilgrims hold candles at the church of the Holy Sepulcher, traditionally believed to be the burial site of Jesus Christ, during the ceremony of the Holy Fire in Jerusalem's Old City, Saturday, April 19, 2014.

Christian Orthodox pilgrims carry wooden crosses during a Good Friday procession in Jerusalem.

A man participates in a re-enactment of the carrying of the cross April 18 in Balmaseda, Spain.

Easter marks the end of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline in preparation for Easter. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter Sunday. After Easter, there is a 50-day period called Eastertide, which ends with Pentecost Sunday.

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

In order an effort to promote traditional Chinese culture, the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, in collaboration with Macao YMCA, Guangzhou Suigang'ao Teenagers Institute, and the Teacher Chang Foundation of Taiwan, has conducted a survey on teens measuring their cultural awareness. They found that Hong Kong youths generally identify with and support the values of traditional Chinese culture.
Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.
Yesterday, October 31, was Reformation Day, and Lutherans around the world held various events in commemoration. In Singapore, the Lutheran Church advocated for Christian communion, while the German Lutheran Church encouraged believers to face the challenge of “trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time.”
Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.
2.1M Korean Christians estimated at joint worship service to affirm family, oppose gay marriage, pray for nation
In the afternoon of Reformation Sunday, Oct. 27, some 2.1 million Christians gathered for a joint worship service from 2pm to 5pm in Seoul, Korea to “unite for repentance, revival, and restoration of holiness in our society.” According to organizers, an estimated 1.1 million joined onsite despite the bad weather with another 1 million joining online. The unprecedented joint worship service brought together Korean churches across denominations as they affirmed traditional marriage and family and
Willow Creek Community Church invites believers to write prayer cards for the next president
This past Sunday, Willow Creek Community Church based in Illinois invited believers to “pray for the next president” during the service. The church not only expressed its concern for the upcoming election but also emphasized the role believers should play in the process and the importance of offering prayers for the nation's leaders.

Easter 2014: Christians Celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues

2.1M Korean Christians estimated at joint worship service to affirm family, oppose gay marriage, pray for nation

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.