When Does Easter Happen?
Maundy Thursday What is it, when does it happen and what will the King from www.xsmanchester.co.ukIntroduction Easter is one of the most important events in the Christian calendar. It is celebrated every year to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The date of Easter varies from year to year, and in this article, we will explore why that is. How is the Date of Easter Calculated? The date of Easter is determined by a complex set of calculations that take into account both the lunar and solar calendars. The basic rule is that Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs after the vernal equinox. The Vernal Equinox The vernal equinox is the point in time when the sun crosses the equator and day and night are of equal length. It occurs around March 20th every year. The Full Moon The full moon is the moment when the moon is completely illuminated by the sun. This occurs once every 29.5 days. Why Does the Date of Easter Change? The date of Easter changes because the lunar and solar calendars do not align perfectly. The lunar calendar is 11 days shorter than the solar calendar, which means that over time, the date of Easter drifts earlier and earlier. The Gregorian Calendar To account for this drift, the Gregorian calendar was introduced in 1582. This calendar is based on the solar year and has a leap year every four years to account for the extra quarter of a day. The Orthodox Church The date of Easter is also calculated differently by the Orthodox Church. This is because they use the Julian calendar, which is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar. Conclusion In conclusion, the date of Easter is determined by a complex set of calculations that take into account both the lunar and solar calendars. It changes every year because the calendars do not align perfectly, and the date can vary between the Western and Orthodox Churches. However, no matter when it is celebrated, Easter remains an important event in the Christian calendar. ...