Why was Easter once banned?

Easter, one of Christianity’s most important and joyful celebrations, commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is observed by millions of people worldwide. The holiday is typically associated with festive gatherings, church services, and cultural traditions such as egg hunts and feasts.

However, there was a time in history when Easter, along with other Christian festivals, faced official bans and suppression. Understanding why Easter was once banned requires a look into the religious, political, and cultural upheavals that shaped Europe, particularly in England, during the 16th and 17th centuries.

The Religious Tumult of Reformation England

The story of Easter’s ban begins with the Protestant Reformation, a movement that swept across Europe in the early 1500s. In England, the Reformation brought about profound changes in religious life, as King Henry VIII broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and established the Church of England. This break was not just theological but also political, as it centralized religious authority under the English monarch.

During the centuries that followed, the pendulum swung between Catholic and Protestant rulers, each imposing their own religious policies. By the mid-17th century, England was in the throes of civil war and social upheaval. The Puritans, a strict Protestant sect, gained significant influence. They believed that many traditional Christian festivals, including Easter, were rooted in paganism and Roman Catholic practice, both of which they sought to purge from English religious life.

The Puritan Ban on Easter and Other Festivals

When the Puritans rose to power following the English Civil War, they implemented radical reforms. The most notable period of suppression occurred during the rule of the Commonwealth (1649–1660), after the execution of King Charles I and the establishment of Oliver Cromwell's republican government. The Puritans viewed the celebration of Easter—along with Christmas, Whitsun (Pentecost), and other religious festivals—as unscriptural and superstitious.

In 1647, the English Parliament, dominated by Puritans, passed an ordinance abolishing the celebration of these feast days, including Easter. Churches were ordered to remain closed on these days, and people were instructed to treat them as regular workdays. The rationale was twofold: first, to eliminate what they saw as remnants of Catholic ritual, and second, to promote a more somber, scripture-based form of worship. For the Puritans, every Sunday was to be observed as a holy day, rendering additional festivals unnecessary.

Social Impact and Public Resistance

The ban on Easter and other festivals was not universally welcomed. For centuries, these celebrations had been woven into the fabric of English social life, often serving as the only respite from the hardships of daily labor. Easter, in particular, was associated with communal meals, games, and local customs. The sudden prohibition led to widespread resentment. Many people resisted by continuing their celebrations in secret or by openly defying the law. Reports from the period detail confrontations between local authorities and villagers determined to keep their traditions alive.

Despite official suppression, the spirit of Easter proved difficult to extinguish. In some areas, church bells were rung and gatherings held in defiance of the law. Records from the era reveal a pattern of covert observances and a general unwillingness to abandon beloved customs. This popular resistance highlights the deep cultural roots of the festival, transcending religious reform and political decree.

The Restoration and the Return of Easter

The ban on Easter and other festivals was relatively short-lived. In 1660, with the restoration of the monarchy under King Charles II, the Puritan Commonwealth collapsed, and many of its strict laws were repealed. The Church of England was restored to its former position, and traditional religious festivals, including Easter, were reintroduced. Church services, processions, and communal feasts resumed, and the holiday’s familiar rituals regained their central place in English culture.

The brief suppression of Easter serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between religion, politics, and society. It also illustrates how deeply embedded certain traditions are, enduring even in the face of official opposition.

Easter Bans Beyond England

While the English experience is the most famous example, similar suppression of Easter and other Christian festivals occurred elsewhere, often for similar reasons. In some American Puritan colonies, such as Massachusetts Bay, the celebration of Easter and Christmas was discouraged or outright forbidden. The reasoning mirrored that of their English counterparts: festivals were seen as distractions from pure, biblical worship and tainted by associations with Catholicism and folk tradition.

Over time, as religious pluralism increased and societies grew more tolerant, these bans were lifted. Today, Easter is celebrated openly and enthusiastically in most parts of the world, its temporary suppression largely forgotten except by historians.