Loading Events

« All Events

Event Series Event Series: Christianity Holiday

Easter Tuesday

April 22

Easter Tuesday in Western Christianity is not as widely observed as a religious or public holiday compared to Easter Sunday and Easter Monday, but it is part of the Easter Octave, a period of eight days celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Table of Contents

  1. When is Easter Tuesday?
  2. The History of Easter Tuesday?
  3. What Do People Do on This Day?
  4. Western and Orthodox Easter Tuesday

When is Easter Tuesday?

Easter Tuesday is the third day of Easter celebrations, observed on the Tuesday following Easter Sunday. Its date varies each year because Easter is a movable feast determined by the lunar calendar.

The following is the list of Easter Tuesday from 2020 to 2049.

HolidayDateWeekday
Easter TuesdayApril 14, 2020Tuesday
Easter TuesdayApril 06, 2021Tuesday
Easter TuesdayApril 19, 2022Tuesday
Easter TuesdayApril 11, 2023Tuesday
Easter TuesdayApril 02, 2024Tuesday
Easter TuesdayApril 22, 2025Tuesday
Easter TuesdayApril 07, 2026Tuesday
Easter TuesdayMarch 30, 2027Tuesday
Easter TuesdayApril 18, 2028Tuesday
Easter TuesdayApril 03, 2029Tuesday
Easter TuesdayApril 23, 2030Tuesday
Easter TuesdayApril 15, 2031Tuesday
Easter TuesdayMarch 30, 2032Tuesday
Easter TuesdayApril 19, 2033Tuesday
Easter TuesdayApril 11, 2034Tuesday
Easter TuesdayMarch 27, 2035Tuesday
Easter TuesdayApril 15, 2036Tuesday
Easter TuesdayApril 07, 2037Tuesday
Easter TuesdayApril 27, 2038Tuesday
Easter TuesdayApril 12, 2039Tuesday
Easter TuesdayApril 03, 2040Tuesday
Easter TuesdayApril 23, 2041Tuesday
Easter TuesdayApril 08, 2042Tuesday
Easter TuesdayMarch 31, 2043Tuesday
Easter TuesdayApril 19, 2044Tuesday
Easter TuesdayApril 11, 2045Tuesday
Easter TuesdayMarch 27, 2046Tuesday
Easter TuesdayApril 16, 2047Tuesday
Easter TuesdayApril 07, 2048Tuesday
Easter TuesdayApril 20, 2049Tuesday

The History of Easter Tuesday?

The Easter Octave dates back to the early centuries of Christianity when the joy of Easter Sunday was extended for an entire week. Each day of the Octave, including Easter Tuesday, was considered a "mini-Easter," continuing the themes of resurrection, and victory over death.

During the medieval period, the Catholic Church emphasized the Easter Octave, with each day featuring special Masses and Gospel readings about the resurrection. Easter Tuesday Masses often reflected on the joy and hope brought by Christ's resurrection.

By the late Middle Ages, Easter Tuesday became a recognized holiday in parts of Europe, particularly in regions with strong Catholic influence.

The Protestant Reformation in the 16th century reduced the emphasis on the Easter Octave in many regions. While Easter Sunday remained central, other days of the Octave, including Easter Tuesday, were observed less frequently in Protestant traditions, although in predominantly Catholic areas, Easter Tuesday continued to be observed as part of the Easter Octave.

By the 19th and 20th centuries, Easter Tuesday began to lose its prominence as the focus of Easter celebrations shifted to Easter Sunday and Monday. Changes in work schedules and the reduced influence of religious observances in daily life contributed to its decline.

What Do People Do on This Day?

On Easter Tuesday, activities vary depending on religious and regional traditions. While Easter Tuesday has largely diminished in prominence in Western Christianity, it remains part of the extended Easter celebrations in some places.

In Roman Catholic tradition, Easter Tuesday is part of the Easter Octave, during which each day is treated as a continuation of Easter Sunday. Daily Masses focus on post-resurrection stories, such as the journey to Emmaus or Jesus's appearance to the disciples.

Easter Tuesday is an opportunity for personal reflection on the resurrection and its spiritual significance. Prayers often focus on themes of hope and thanksgiving. Many families use Easter Tuesday as an additional day to spend time together, sharing meals and reflecting on the joy of Easter.

In most Western countries, Easter Tuesday is not a public holiday and is treated as a regular working day. However, some people may continue to reflect on the Easter themes of resurrection and renewal.

Difference between Western and Orthodox Easter Tuesday

Orthodox Easter Tuesday and Western Easter Tuesday share the commonality of being the third day of their respective Easter celebrations, but they differ significantly in liturgical emphasis, traditions, and regional observances.

Themes: Orthodox Easter Tuesday focuses on the continuation of Paschal joy, the victory over death, and community renewal. Western Easter Tuesday highlights the joy of resurrection and reflection on Jesus's post-resurrection appearances.

Liturgical significance: Orthodox Easter Tuesday is part of Bright Week, a week of unbroken joy in the Orthodox Church, with special hymns and liturgies celebrating the resurrection. Western Easter Tuesday is part of the Easter Octave, the eight days of Easter in Western Christianity, and it is liturgically less emphasized than Easter Sunday or Monday.

Cultural traditions: Orthodox Easter Tuesday includes church services, family feasts, cemetery visits, and community celebrations like music and dancing. Western Easter Tuesday was historically observed with fairs and feasts in some regions, but now largely a normal working day in most Western countries.

Holiday status: Orthodox Easter Tuesday is recognized as a celebratory day in many Orthodox-majority countries, with regional holidays and festivities. Western Easter Tuesday is rarely observed as a public holiday.

Cemetery visits: Cemetery visits are common in Orthodox traditions, symbolizing sharing the joy of resurrection with departed loved ones. Cemetery visits are not a significant tradition in Western Easter Tuesday practices.

Community festivities: Vibrant music, dancing, and outdoor gatherings are common in Orthodox countries. In some Roman Catholic countries, it was historically marked by community fairs and games, although these are less common today.

Details

Date:
April 22
Series:
Event Category: