Easter 2014: Christians Celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

Apr 19, 2014 01:33 PM 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.   

Related: Ten Christian Favorite Easter Bible Verses 

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. (Photo: ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP/GETTY IMAGES )
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. (Photo: AP)
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 fastingrepentance, 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