The Great 50 Days of Easter commences Easter Eve

The tomb cannot hold Jesus Christ.

Mary Magdalene stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus' body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, "Woman, why are you crying?" "They have taken my Lord away," she said, "and I don't know where they have put him." At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. "Woman," he said, "Why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?"

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him." Jesus said to her, "Mary." She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet retuned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them 'I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news; "I have seen the Lord!" And she told them that he had said these things to her. (John 20:11-18)

The feast of Easter is a season of fifty days, from Easter Eve through the Day of Pentecost. From early times the Greek word pentecost (fiftieth day) was used also for the whole Paschal season. The word "alleluia" (praise the Lord) is said or sung repeatedly, which contrasts sharply with the season of Lent when the alleluia is omitted. The color of liturgical vestments and hangings is white or gold. The "Alleluia, alleluia" may be added to the dismissals and their responses during the Great Fifty Days. The traditional Christian Easter greeting, "The Lord is Risen!" (see Lk 24:34) serves as the opening acclamation at the eucharist during the Easter season. The BCP notes that it is customary for the Paschal candle to burn at all services of the Easter season. During this season there is no fasting. The Council of Nicaea (325) directed that Christians are to pray standing.