As it should be! Easter is the greatest of feasts, Christ trampling down death is the completion of the nativity. God uniting to man and redeeming through sacrificial death so that those who die with Christ also may be glorified eternally!

As for the Eastern praxis, it is strignent, but they do it in a truly pastoral manner instead of the sometimes legalistic approach in the Latin rite. Instead of having one set minimum bar to reach, they guide their flock towards the ideal.

The same can be done in the west, except of course for the pastoral guidance beyond the minimum requirements, which I think is lamentable.

Are you Eastern Catholic by any chance?