Orthodox Easter Monday in United Kingdom
Quick Facts
Many Orthodox churches in the United Kingdom observe Easter Monday on the day after the Orthodox Easter Sunday date.Name
Orthodox Easter MondayOrthodox Easter Monday 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009Orthodox Easter Monday 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010See list of observations below
Beautifully decorated eggs, often dyed in red to symbolize Jesus Christ's blood, are seen during the Orthodox Easter period. ©iStockphoto.com/Bob Burnham
What do people do?
Bright Monday is a day of reflection for many Orthodox Christians in the United Kingdom. Many people reflect on the events that occurred during Holy Week prior to Easter Sunday. Easter Monday is a day to finish leftover Easter meals that were not eaten the day before. Some Orthodox Christian churches have special Bright Monday services in the United Kingdom.
Public life
Orthodox Easter Monday is not a bank holiday in the United Kingdom.
Background
Many Orthodox churches base their Easter date on the Julian calendar, which differs from the Gregorian calendar that is used by many western countries. Therefore the Orthodox Easter period often (but not always) occurs at a different date compared with the Easter date observed by many western churches, which falls after the time of the March equinox.
There are different types of Orthodox churches in the United Kingdom, including the Greek Orthodox Church, the Romanian Orthodox Church, and the Russian Orthodox Church. Congregation numbers have grown in these churches due to immigration. Many Orthodox Christians in the United Kingdom are immigrants or descendents of immigrants from countries such as Greece, Romania and Russia.
It is believed that Greek immigrants started arriving in London during the late 17th century. The United Kingdom experienced a surge of immigrants, especially from Greece and Russia, during the 20th century. They brought with them their customs, traditions, and religious observances.
Symbols
Easter eggs are often dyed red to symbolize the Jesus Christ’s blood. It was an important symbol connected with spring fertility rituals in many early civilizations. Another important symbol associated with Easter is the lamb. It is often depicted with a banner that bears a cross, and it is known as the Agnus Dei, meaning "Lamb of God" in Latin.
About Orthodox Easter Monday in other countries
Read more about Orthodox Easter Monday.Orthodox Easter Monday Observances
| Weekday | Date | Year | Name | Holiday type | Where it is observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | Apr 7 | 1980 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 27 | 1981 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 19 | 1982 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | May 9 | 1983 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 23 | 1984 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 15 | 1985 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | May 5 | 1986 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 20 | 1987 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 11 | 1988 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | May 1 | 1989 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 16 | 1990 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 8 | 1991 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 27 | 1992 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 19 | 1993 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | May 2 | 1994 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 24 | 1995 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 15 | 1996 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 28 | 1997 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 20 | 1998 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 12 | 1999 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | May 1 | 2000 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 16 | 2001 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | May 6 | 2002 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 28 | 2003 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 12 | 2004 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | May 2 | 2005 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 24 | 2006 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 9 | 2007 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 28 | 2008 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 20 | 2009 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 5 | 2010 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 25 | 2011 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 16 | 2012 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | May 6 | 2013 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 21 | 2014 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox | |
| Mon | Apr 13 | 2015 | Orthodox Easter Monday | Orthodox |
Related holidays
- Orthodox Good Friday–Friday, April 17, 2009
- Orthodox Holy Saturday–Saturday, April 18, 2009
- Orthodox Easter–Sunday, April 19, 2009
Other holidays in April 2009 in United Kingdom
- Palm Sunday (Sunday, April 5, 2009)
- First day of Passover (Thursday, April 9, 2009)
- Maundy Thursday (Thursday, April 9, 2009)
- Good Friday (Friday, April 10, 2009)
- Holy Saturday (Saturday, April 11, 2009)
- Easter Sunday (Sunday, April 12, 2009)
- Easter Monday (Monday, April 13, 2009)
- Last day of Passover (Thursday, April 16, 2009)
- Orthodox Good Friday (Friday, April 17, 2009)
- Orthodox Holy Saturday (Saturday, April 18, 2009)
- Orthodox Easter (Sunday, April 19, 2009)
- Yom HaShoah (Tuesday, April 21, 2009)
- Shakespeare Day (Thursday, April 23, 2009)
- St. George's Day (Thursday, April 23, 2009)
- Yom HaAtzmaut (Wednesday, April 29, 2009)
Other calendars
- Perpetual yearly calendar - make yearly calendar for any year
- Perpetual monthly calendar - shows only one month at a time
- Custom calendar - make customized calendars
