Easter Monday - What is it?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Easter Monday is simply the day after Easter. Easter Monday is a public holiday in Australia, Egypt (as a secular holiday), and much of Europe but is not widely celebrated in the United States. A few areas recognize the Polish version—Dyngus Day—and the White House hosts its annual egg roll. For those who celebrate Easter Monday as a religious holiday, church services are included. The Bible emphasizes Jesus’ resurrection on Sunday and does not describe any observance on the following day. While Easter Monday has significance in Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions, it is not a biblical requirement. Christians are free to celebrate it or not, as long as their focus remains on Christ's resurrection.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Old Testament does not mention Easter Monday. It does, however, establish the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which begins the day after Passover (Exodus 12:15–17). While not the same as Easter Monday, it shows how God’s people commemorated deliverance over multiple days. This week-long festival was a time to remember God's salvation through the blood of the lamb—foreshadowing Jesus, the Lamb of God (John 1:29).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The New Testament does not mention Easter Monday or any specific observance the day after Jesus’ resurrection. What it does emphasize is the resurrection itself. Jesus rose “on the first day of the week” (Sunday) – see Matthew 28:1, Mark 16:2, Luke 24:1, John 20:1.
• After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His followers over forty days (Acts 1:3), but there is no record of a special emphasis on the day after His resurrection.
• The New Testament church did not observe Easter Monday, but they gathered on Sundays (the Lord’s Day) to remember the resurrection (Acts 20:7, Revelation 1:10).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

The holiday is prominent mostly in Catholic circles. For those in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Easter Monday, also called Bright Monday or Renewal Monday, is the beginning of Bright Week. Although there are ceremonies for the entire week following Easter, they are often condensed into Bright Monday. In areas influenced by Roman Catholicism, Easter Monday is the beginning of the Easter Octave. It is common to douse people in water, representing the new life of baptism, and play games with Easter eggs. The Bible makes no mention of Easter or Easter Monday. As a church we are not required to celebrate it, but we are not prohibited to, either.

UNDERSTAND

• Easter Monday is not mentioned in the Bible.
• Easter Monday is a cultural and religious tradition in some countries and churches, especially in Catholic and Eastern Orthodox circles, where it marks part of ongoing Easter celebrations like Bright Week or the Easter Octave.
• Christians are free to observe or not observe Easter Monday, as it is not a biblical command, but any celebration should keep the focus on Jesus’ resurrection.

REFLECT

• How do you personally keep your focus on Jesus’ resurrection after Easter Sunday has passed?
• Have you ever celebrated Easter Monday, and if so, what spiritual significance did it hold for you?
• How could you continue reflecting on the resurrection throughout the week after Easter?

ENGAGE

• What are the benefits and drawbacks of observing Easter Monday?
• How can we honor cultural or traditional observances like Easter Monday without losing sight of biblical truth?
• What does the contrast between biblical commands and church traditions teach us about Christian freedom and responsibility?