How the Early Church Celebrated Easter

Introduction

Easter is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, the celebration of Christ’s resurrection and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. But how did the earliest Christians observe this most sacred of days? Long before modern traditions like sunrise services, chocolate eggs, and floral decorations, the first believers commemorated Easter with deep reverence, powerful symbolism, and a focus on the resurrection’s transformative power in their lives.

By looking at the practices of the early Church, we can gain insight into how the first followers of Christ understood Easter, what it meant to them, and how their traditions can deepen our own celebration of the risen Lord.

Easter in the Apostolic and Early Church

1. The Jewish Roots of Easter: The Paschal Connection

The first Christians, many of whom were Jewish, saw Easter as the fulfillment of Passover (Pesach). Just as the Passover lamb was slain and its blood marked the doorposts of the faithful, Jesus—the Lamb of God—was sacrificed for the salvation of the world.

One of the earliest historical references to this connection comes from Melito of Sardis (c. 160 AD), who wrote a homily called On the Pascha, which describes Jesus as the true Passover Lamb. In this sermon, Melito proclaims that just as the Israelites were freed from slavery in Egypt, humanity is freed from sin through Christ’s sacrifice. This early understanding shaped Christian theology and deepened the Church’s Easter celebrations.

The early Church’s Easter celebration was deeply tied to this Paschal mystery, emphasizing that Christ’s resurrection was the new exodus—the deliverance from the slavery of sin and death. Many of the first Christians continued to observe Passover but did so in the light of the resurrection, seeing Jesus as the ultimate Passover Lamb.

2. The Vigil and Baptismal Celebrations

One of the most significant early Christian practices was the Easter Vigil, an all-night gathering of prayer, Scripture readings, and hymn singing that culminated in the dawn celebration of the resurrection.

We have historical accounts from figures like Tertullian (c. 200 AD) and Hippolytus of Rome (c. 215 AD), who describe how the Easter Vigil was the most sacred time for baptisms. According to Hippolytus’ Apostolic Tradition, catechumens (new believers preparing for baptism) would fast, renounce sin, and profess their faith before being immersed in water at sunrise—symbolizing their passage from death to life in Christ.

Even today, the Easter Vigil remains one of the most solemn and beautiful liturgies in the Church, echoing these early traditions., an all-night gathering of prayer, Scripture readings, and hymn singing that culminated in the dawn celebration of the resurrection.

3. The Celebration of the Eucharist

At the heart of the early Easter observance was the celebration of the Eucharist (Holy Communion). The early Christians gathered to break bread in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice, just as He commanded at the Last Supper.

One of the earliest descriptions of an Easter Eucharist comes from Justin Martyr (c. 155 AD), who wrote in his First Apology about Christian worship. He explains how believers met on Sunday, read from the Scriptures, prayed, and then received the Eucharist, which they saw as the true body and blood of Christ. This testimony provides a glimpse into how central the Eucharist was to early Easter celebrations.

The Eucharistic feast was not only a commemoration of the resurrection but a participation in it—the real presence of Christ among His people. The joy of the risen Lord permeated their gatherings, as they proclaimed, “Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!”. The early Christians gathered to break bread in remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice, just as He commanded at the Last Supper.

Fasting, Feasting, and the Joy of the Resurrection

1. The Fast Leading to Easter (The Origins of Lent)

Early Christians prepared for Easter through fasting, a practice that evolved into what we now call Lent. While modern Lent lasts 40 days, early fasting traditions varied—some fasted for a few days before Easter, while others extended their preparation for weeks.

One historical account comes from Eusebius of Caesarea (c. 325 AD), who noted in Church History that different Christian communities had different lengths for their pre-Easter fasts. By the time of the Council of Nicaea (325 AD), the 40-day fast had become more standardized, leading to the Lenten practice we recognize today.

The purpose of fasting was not mere ritual but a spiritual preparation, a way of aligning oneself with Christ’s suffering before rejoicing in His victory. This self-denial heightened the joy of Easter morning, making the feast all the more celebratory.. While modern Lent lasts 40 days, early fasting traditions varied—some fasted for a few days before Easter, while others extended their preparation for weeks.

2. The Easter Feast: A Time of Great Rejoicing

After the solemnity of Lent and Holy Week, Easter was marked by joyful feasting. The resurrection was not just a doctrine to be affirmed—it was a lived reality, a victory worth celebrating. The early Christians saw their Easter feasts as a foretaste of the heavenly banquet, a tangible expression of the joy of salvation.

One well-documented account comes from John Chrysostom (c. 400 AD), whose famous Easter Homily reflects the exuberant joy of the feast. He calls all—those who have fasted and those who have not—to join in the celebration, emphasizing that the resurrection is a gift to all. His words capture the spirit of early Christian Easter feasts, where the entire community rejoiced in Christ’s victory over death.

This tradition continues today, as many cultures observe Easter with festive meals, reinforcing the deep spiritual meaning behind the celebration.. The resurrection was not just a doctrine to be affirmed—it was a lived reality, a victory worth celebrating. The early Christians saw their Easter feasts as a foretaste of the heavenly banquet, a tangible expression of the joy of salvation.

The Message of Easter: Living the Resurrection

For the early Church, Easter was not just a single day of celebration—it was the defining event of their faith. They saw themselves as Easter people, called to live in the power of the resurrection every day.

This is the same challenge we face today. Easter is more than a holiday; it is a call to renewal, to embrace the new life Christ offers. As the first Christians boldly proclaimed the risen Christ, so too are we called to reflect His light, live in His victory, and share the hope of the resurrection with the world.

How can we reclaim the depth of Easter in our own lives? How can we celebrate as the early Church did—with a focus on Christ’s victory, the power of the sacraments, and the joy of new life in Him?

For more on Easter, check out the Catechism of The Catholic Church. My favorite version is the one put out by the USCCB with added teaching and devotional elements. But you can also check out the most inexpensive version. Either way, this volume is essential for any Catholic family.

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