Catholics, Protestants celebrate Easter

More than 1 billion Roman Catholics and Protestants worldwide are celebrating Easter – the greatest feast in the Christian calendar. On this Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

For Catholics, Easter Sunday comes at the end of 40 days of prayer, fasting and almsgiving known as Lent.

Holy Saturday, the day before Easter, commemorated the day that the body of Jesus Christ was laid in the tomb.

On Easter Day the faithful traditionally exchange gifts of sweets and dyed eggs.

Eastern Orthodox Christians who follow the old Julian calendar observe Easter on May 5 this year.