Although most may believe that Easter ended on Sunday, that is not the case. The celebration of Easter continues on for the rest of this week.

According to theology teacher Mr. Quanah Jeffries, “What a lot of people don’t know about this week is that it’s usually called Easter Week. In the East, they call it ‘bright week’ in reference to the light of Christ and glory of the resurrection.”

He continued, “This entire week is Easter, it’s eight days that are all one, and every day is a solemnity like Christmas.”

Because of this, every day has an important significance in the Church.

Germanic languages call this celebration Easter; however, the original name for Easter is Pascha, meaning Passover. This refers to the Christian Passover. Jeffries said most churches throughout the world still call it Pascha.

He continued, “That’s where our roots with this feast lies from the beginning of the Church. Pascha gives the context for the whole feast, and Easter is a peculiarity of ours.”

Jeffries said, “Every day is supposed to be festive, celebratory and joyous. It’s important this week to have things that call to mind that this week is different.” For example, Jeffries said that this is the week to treat yourself to a special food or treat that might not normally be in the house, reminding that this week is special.

Jeffries said, “(April 21) is not a penitential day, so you don’t have to observe any penance (on April 21). Of course, also keeping in mind the reason why this week is what it is, we should also give time to God each day in thanksgiving for what he has given us and gratitude for his son and our redemption.”

To sum it all up, Jeffries referred to this week as “a lot of prayer and a lot of party.”