General Question

johnny's avatar

Why is Easter always on a different day every year?

Asked by johnny (335points) March 22nd, 2008 from iPhone
Observing members: 0 Composing members: 0

6 Answers

hearkat's avatar

Easter’s date is determined by the spring equinox and the full moon… Google Easter and you’ll learn all about it

occ's avatar

My understanding is that Easter changes dates because the Last Supper occurred during the Jewish holiday of Passover, and Easter is always linked to the date of the Last Supper. The Jewish calendar is a lunar calendar, which means each month has only 28 days. This means it is always slightly different from the Western calendar and the holidays move around. In order to adjust for the slightly shortened year that would occur if every month only had 28 days, on the Jewish calendar every 7 years there is a “leap month” that year there are 13 months instead of 12. This year is a leap month, so Passover comes a month later than Easter. My understanding is that some Christians, (russian orthodox?) will celebrate Easter next month when Passover occurs.

pattyb's avatar

Easter must be on a Sunday,( unlike say Christmas) so dates change. Plus all posted above.

susanc's avatar

Someone told me today that it’s the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring
equinox. This is an early Easter because the full moon occurred immediately after the spring equinox.

Perchik's avatar

Interestingly enough, March 22 is the earliest date possible for Easter.

babygalll's avatar

There are two Easters. There is March 23 and April 27 is the Orthodox Easter.

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