Arab American Christians Celebrate Easter Holiday

posted on: Apr 24, 2011

Today, Arab Americans throughout the Metro Detroit area will celebrate Easter— the most significant annual religious feast in the Christian liturgical year.

This year Easter will fall on the same day for both Christian Catholics and Orthodox, an atypical occurrence due to each denomination’s adherence of a different calendar.

To celebrate the Easter holiday, thousands of Arab Americans will gather with family and friends for a big feast in which they will break their fast from meat, dairy, and other foods of sacrifice.

Yet most characteristic of the holiday is the gathering of Arab American women to make the traditional Arabic Easter cookie “ca’ek”. It is made of dates, covered with dough, and is typically shaped into a circle– meant to represent the crown of thorns Christ was forced to wear during his crucifixion.

About 60% of local Arab Americans are of Christian faith. A vastly diverse community, they identify as Maronite Catholic, Melkite Catholic, Syrian Catholic, Chaldean Catholic, Roman Catholic, Antiochian Orthodox, Syrian Orthodox, Coptic Orthodox, and Protestant.

Arab Detroit wishes all celebrating a Happy Easter!

Arab Detroit