Easter time in my household often means getting away for a few days with the family. Growing up, this meant camping. These days, I’ve swapped the tent for a cabin because, let’s be honest, it usually rains at Easter.

As I began packing and thinking about what games we could play indoors on the inevitable wet weather day, I turned to something I’ve always loved: trivia. I’ve put together a few Easter trivia questions to highlight the meaning of this season for Christians, sometimes lost in colourful and delicious chocolate eggs.

Let’s start with the questions. How many can you answer?

1. How long is the season of Lent?
2. On Ash Wednesday, what does the cross of ash on the forehead represent?
3. What are the ashes from Ash Wednesday made of?
4. How long does Easter last?
5. How is the date of Easter determined?
6. What does Holy Thursday commemorate?
7. How many Stations of the Cross are there?
8. Why is Easter celebrated with Easter eggs?

Now for the answers and explanations:

1. The season of Lent lasts for 40 days. It begins on Ash Wednesday and continues until Easter Sunday. The Sundays during Lent are not included in the 40 days.
2. The cross of ash on the forehead is a sign of repentance.
3. The ashes used on Ash Wednesday come from the blessed palms from the previous year’s Palm Sunday.
4. Easter lasts for 50 days, beginning on Easter Sunday and ending on the Feast of Pentecost.
5. Easter is determined by the full moon. It always falls on the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or after 21 March.
6. Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper. A foot-washing ritual is often included in the liturgy.
7. There are two versions of the Stations of the Cross—traditional and scriptural—and both contain 14 stations.
8. In the past, Christians fasted from all animal products during Lent. As hens don’t stop laying eggs, many were saved until Easter, then decorated and gifted. Eggs are a symbol of new life, making them a fitting Easter tradition.

Easter is a time to remember that “we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3).

May you be filled with the hope and joy that Easter brings.