Plans are underway for the Easter sunrise service to be held at Athens State University’s Beasley Field. From left, Keith Williams, Freedom Christian Center; Sara McMahan, Jacob Greene, Rachel McMahan, all of First Presbyterian Church; Rob Phraner, New Life Assembly of God; and Dr. Edwin Jenkins, First Baptist Church.

Easter is arriving soon, sooner than ever before in history, almost.

This year, Christians around the world will celebrate the resurrection of Christ on March 23, the second-earliest date ever.  The earliest Easter can be observed is March 22, which last occurred in 1818.  

The next time Easter will be this early will be in 2228. This follows the tradition of celebrating Easter the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring Equinox (March 20), using the Gregorian Calendar.

ALMA, the Athens Limestone Ministerial Association, is inviting everyone in the community to attend a sunrise service at 6:30 Easter morning at Athens State University’s Beasley Field (on Hobbs Street between Thomas and College streets).

New Life Assembly of God student pastor John Colonnello, who attended last year’s Sunrise service, remembers that day had a record low for Easter morning.

“I moved here from New York, figuring that it was the South, and it was April, so I decided to not wear a jacket,” Colonnello said. “And I froze.”

This year promises to be much warmer.

“I thought it was a blessing how diversified the people were in age, denomination and nationality,” Colonnello said. “And having the mayor (Dan Williams) standing right next to me during the service was neat. That would never happen in New York. It was a blessing to start Easter with the sunrise service.  

“I had more time to reflect on what Christ did and I felt like I honored the Lord by sacrificing to get up early, since He sacrificed so much for me.”

This year, hymns and songs will be led by members of First Baptist Church and First Presbyterian Church.  

The message will be given by Keith Williams, pastor of Freedom Christian Center. The service will last about 30 minutes. Guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair to sit during the service if they choose not to stand.  

Bring along a coat, just in case.



Rob Phraner is pastor of New Life Assembly of God and a contributor to The News Courier.