Why does easter change

The date of Easter no longer directly corresponds to lunar events. As astronomers were able to approximate the dates of all full moons in future years, the Western Church used these calculations to establish a table of Ecclesiastical Full Moon dates. These dates determine the Holy Days on the Ecclesiastical calendar. Although modified slightly from its original form, by A. Thus, according to the Ecclesiastical tables, the Paschal Full Moon is the first Ecclesiastical Full Moon date after March 20 which happened to be the vernal equinox date in A.

The Paschal Full Moon can vary as much as two days from the date of the actual full moon, with dates ranging from March 21 to April This was partly why the dates were seldom the same. Easter and its related holidays do not fall on a fixed date in either the Gregorian or Julian calendars, making them movable holidays. The dates, instead, are based on a lunar calendar very similar to the Hebrew Calendar.

This complicates the matter, due to the inaccuracy of the Julian calendar, and the 13 days that have accrued since the year A. Additionally, in keeping with the rule established by the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, the Eastern Orthodox Church adhered to the tradition that Easter must always fall after the Jewish Passover since the resurrection of Christ happened after the celebration of Passover.

Eventually, the Orthodox Church came up with an alternative to calculating Easter based on the Gregorian calendar and Passover, by developing a year cycle, as opposed to the Western Church's year cycle. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance.

Select basic ads. So when is Easter, why does its date vary and how is it celebrated? Easter marks the end of the day period of Lent , during which those who observe the festival abstain from everyday luxuries such as rich foods.

This year, Easter Sunday is taking place on Sunday 4 April. Much like other religious events such as the Hindu celebration of Diwali and the Jewish festival of Rosh Hashanah , Easter is a moveable feast.

The date of Easter Sunday falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox in March. By taking into account the date of the vernal equinox which this year fell on Saturday 20 March and the next following full moon Sunday 28 March , it was therefore calculated that Easter Sunday would take place on Sunday 4 April in Those who observe the Christian festival of Easter celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after he was crucified, as outlined in the New Testament.

Because the Jewish holiday calendar is based on solar and lunar cycles, each feast day is movable, with dates shifting from year to year. Now, from here, the explanation grows more complicated. Today in the Western Christianity world, Easter is always celebrated on the Sunday immediately following the Paschal Full Moon date of the year.

As astronomers were able to approximate the dates of all the full moons in future years, the Western Christian Church used these calculations to establish a table of full moon dates. These dates would determine the Holy Days on the calendar. By A. The Paschal Full Moon can vary as much as two days from the date of the actual full moon, with dates ranging from March 21 to April This year, Christians will celebrate Easter on Sunday, April 4, which is a little earlier than Easter , which was celebrated on April