The Religious Tradition of Easter

Though there have been various attempts to reform the Easter date calculation, it still falls on a different date each year. Christmas is celebrated on the same date annually, so why the confusion when it comes to commemorating Jesus’ resurrection? …And scoffing chocolate eggs, of course.

How is the Easter Date Determined Each Year?

We know that the definite period in which Easter occurs is between March 22 and April 25, bearing in mind the Gregorian Calendar, and not the Julian Calendar. This is because Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon (the first full moon after the vernal equinox). The Jewish calendar follows solar and lunar cycles and the early Christians wanted Easter to coincide with Passover, the Jewish holiday.

Now we know how and why the date for Easter changes annually, we can be content in celebrating, and you know when to get your hands on some Easter cards! And who knows? Perhaps you could be the one among your friends to casually brag about your newly gained knowledge of the Paschal Full Moon, and inform them of next year's Easter date!