Eastertide/Easter The first week of Week Eastertide, starting with Easter Sunday (27 March – 2 April). Bright Week in the Orthodox Church
1st Sunday after Easter Sunday – Divine Mercy Sunday – 3 April. Inspired by apparitions of Jesus to St Faustina. Celebration of the Sacrament of Penance and complete commitment to God’s mercy. The day after the culmination of the novena of the Chaplet. Those who confess and receive Holy Communion on that day, obtain total forgiveness of all sins and punishment This Sunday is also known Quasimodogeniti means in Latin “like as Quasimodo Sunday newborn babes”, from the beginning of Mass that day In the Orthodox Church 1st Among Eastern Christians Thomas is not so Sunday after Easter Sunday much remembered as "doubting Thomas," is known as Thomas but is rather remembered for his confession Sunday, recounting the of faith: "My Lord and my God," thus being story of Christ appearing to the first to publicly proclaim the two Apostle Thomas to dispel natures of Christ: human and divine. his doubt about Resurrection (John 20:24). Also known as Renewal Sunday
6 April – St Juliana of Liege Patron of the devotion to the Blessed Sacrament 2nd Sunday after Easter From the Mass: “Misericordia domini plena Sunday – Misericordia est terra…” Sunday 10 April 11 April – St Gemma Calgani "He asked me if I loved Him. I wept, for you know, Father, whom I have loved more than Jesus. I have loved myself, and oftentimes creatures and pleasures. What could I answer to Jesus? I wept for a long time, and that was my reply. It is Jesus alone whom I should love, and I have never loved Him as I should."
16 April – St Bernadette Soubirous, witness of Lourdes apparitions
3rd Sunday after Easter From the Mass: “Jubolate Deo omnis Sunday – Jubilate Sunday terra…” 17 April 25 days after Easter Sunday Luke 2:39 and 25 days before Pentecost in the Orthodox Church is celebrated as Mid-Pentecost (Midfeast) – 20 April. The theme of the feast is Christ as Teacher and icons often depict the Young Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem speaking with the Elders, corresponding The 12-year-old Jesus in the temple th to 5 Joyful mystery Spiritual fruit: obedience 23 April – St George. Often depicted as a crusader killing a dragon and one of the most venerated saints. Many patronages, including England. Feast day is celebrated in most countries
4th Sunday after Easter Often used for an annual sermon about Sunday – Cantate Sunday hymns and liturgical music, and thus is 24 April sometimes nicknamed Sing-Song Sunday. In the Orthodox Church it is known as the Sunday of a Samaritan Woman. The day commemorates a Samaritan woman meeting Jesus (John 4)
25 April – Mark the Evangelist, one of 4 evangelists. Symbol: winged lion. The major rogation day (day of prayer and fasting) 29 April – St Catherine of Siena, one of the 6 patron saints of Europe and Doctor of the Church. She is also known for her Mystical Marriage to Jesus
30 April – Walpurgis Night. The Eve of the feast day of St Walpurga, believed to be a night of a witches’ meeting in many German speaking countries and
Northern Europe, incl. Estonia