When is Easter? How Easter's Date is Calculated

When is Easter is a question that is on so many people's mind as spring is approaching each year. It is a deciding factor for many spring break vacations and family get-togethers. So when is Easter and why does the date change from year to year? 

Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a very important holiday that is celebrated by Christians worldwide. And not only does the date change from year to year, there are 2 dates for Easter. 

Easter on the Gregorian Calendar is the most commonly used and celebrated by both Christians and those who are non-religious celebrating secularly. It takes place on the first Sunday following the full moon after the spring equinox which falls between March 22nd and April 25th.

Orthodox Easter is celebrated by the Orthodox church & Orthodox Christians. It takes place later than the Gregorian based Easter and is on the first full moon after Passover which falls between April 4th and May 8th. The dates of Orthodox Easter is determined by the Julian calendar which is why the dates are different. Orthodox Easter is more commonly observed in the countries of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Lebanon, North Macedonia, Romania, and Russia.

The lunar calendar is quite different from the Gregorian calendar, which is the one that most people use in their everyday lives. The Gregorian calendar is based on the sun, while the lunar calendar is based on the moon. One big difference between the two calendars is that the lunar calendar is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. This is why the date of Easter changes each year and why the Orthodox dates are different. 

So there you have it! Now you know when Easter is and why the date changes from year to year. Whether you're planning a spring break vacation or just want to know when to expect your family get-together, you can always count on Easter being the first Sunday following the full moon after the Spring Equinox.