![]() Long ago, the Christian Church decided to simplify the process of calculating Easter’s date by always observing the spring equinox on March 21, despite the fact that the equinox date changes over time and is actually getting earlier. Generally, if the full Moon occurs on the same day as the spring equinox, Easter is observed on the subsequent Sunday. Read more about Easter and the Paschal Full Moon What Happens When the Full Moon and Spring Equinox Occur on the Same Day? So, to put it another way: Easter is observed on the Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon. In Christian calendars, the first full Moon of spring is called the “ Paschal Full Moon” (which we’ll explain further below). In 2022, the astronomical date of the equinox was Sunday, March 20. Note that the equinox date used by the Christian Church (the “ecclesiastical” date) is different from the astronomical date of the equinox, which can change from year to year. Therefore, Easter will be observed on the subsequent Sunday, which is Sunday, April 17, 2022. The first full Moon to occur after March 21 rises on Saturday, April 16, this year. Let’s break it down: The ecclesiastical spring equinox (in other words, the date observed by the Christian Church) has a set date of March 21. Specifically, Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday following the full Moon that occurs on or just after the ecclesiastical spring equinox (March 21). ![]() Would you believe that the date of Easter is related to the full Moon? In this case, the observance of Easter can occur between April 4 and May 8. Many Eastern Orthodox churches follow the Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian. ![]() Over a 500-year period (from 1600 to 2099 AD), it just so happens that Easter will have most often been celebrated on either March 31 or April 16. ![]() Read more about this curious connection below! What Is the Most Common Easter Date? (Eastern Orthodox Easter will take place on Sunday, April 24.) Why Is Easter So Late This Year?Įaster is a “movable feast,” so it doesn’t happen on the same date from year to year. However, it is always observed on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25.Įaster this year happens just one day after April’s full Moon (Saturday, April 16), which is the first full Moon to occur after the ecclesiastical spring equinox (March 21) and is therefore known in the Christian calendar as the “ Paschal Full Moon.” To make a long story short, Easter always occurs on the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon, which is why Easter is so late this year. This year, Easter will be observed on Sunday, April 17. ![]()
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