Easter, one of the most significant holidays in the Christian faith, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, often feels like it’s hopping around the calendar. You might be wondering, especially if you’re anticipating spring’s early arrival, “Why isn’t Easter in March this year?” In 2025, Easter Sunday falls on April 20th. This late date in April might prompt questions about how the Easter date is even determined and why it changes so much from year to year.
Let’s delve into the fascinating reasons behind Easter’s variable date, explore its historical roots, and understand why it sometimes falls in March and other times deep into April.
Decoding the Date: Why Easter is a Movable Feast
Unlike Christmas, which is fixed on December 25th, Easter is known as a “movable feast.” This means its date shifts annually, landing somewhere between March 22nd and April 25th in the Gregorian calendar, the calendar most commonly used in the Western world. For Eastern Orthodox Churches, which often follow the Julian calendar, Easter can occur even later, between April 4th and May 8th. In 2025, both Western Easter and Eastern Orthodox Easter coincide on April 20th.
| Year | Easter Sunday (Gregorian calendar) | Eastern Orthodox Church (Julian calendar date converted to Gregorian) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | April 20 | April 20 |
| 2026 | April 5 | April 12 |
| 2027 | March 28 | May 2 |
| 2028 | April 16 | April 16 |
This variability stems from the ancient method of calculating Easter, which is tied to both the spring equinox and the lunar cycle.
The Lunar Connection: Paschal Full Moon and the Spring Equinox
The key to understanding Easter’s date lies in two astronomical events: the Paschal Full Moon and the spring equinox. Easter Sunday is always observed on the first Sunday following the Paschal Full Moon, which itself is defined as the first full Moon occurring on or after the spring equinox.
The spring equinox marks the point in time when the sun crosses the celestial equator, moving north, signaling the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. While the astronomical spring equinox can vary slightly, the Church has fixed the date for ecclesiastical purposes as March 21st.
easter chicks
Therefore, to determine Easter’s date, we first look for the spring equinox (ecclesiastically set on March 21st). Then, we find the first full Moon that occurs on or after this date – this is the Paschal Full Moon. Finally, Easter Sunday is the Sunday immediately following the Paschal Full Moon.
This lunar-solar calculation is why Easter’s date fluctuates. Because lunar cycles aren’t perfectly aligned with our solar calendar, the date of the Paschal Full Moon changes each year, consequently shifting the date of Easter.
Why Not March This Year?
For Easter to fall in March, the Paschal Full Moon would need to occur shortly after March 21st, and then the following Sunday would need to fall within March. In years where the full Moon occurs later in April, or even in late March but followed by a Sunday in April, Easter will naturally be pushed into April. For 2025, the timing of the full moon after March 21st results in Easter being observed on April 20th.
The Ecclesiastical Equinox vs. Astronomical Equinox
It’s important to note the distinction between the ecclesiastical equinox (March 21st) and the astronomical equinox, which is based on actual astronomical observations and can occur on March 20th or 21st. The Church uses the fixed date of March 21st to simplify calculations across centuries.
This difference can sometimes lead to interesting scenarios. For example, in 2019, the astronomical equinox and a full Moon both occurred on March 20th. Following the rule, one might expect Easter to be the following Sunday, March 24th. However, because the Church uses March 21st as the equinox date, the full Moon on March 20th was considered before the ecclesiastical equinox. Therefore, the next full Moon (in April) was considered the Paschal Full Moon, pushing Easter to April 21st that year.
Caption: The full moon, especially the Paschal Full Moon, plays a crucial role in determining the date of Easter each year.
The Golden Number: An Ancient Calculation Tool
Historically, calculating the Paschal Full Moon and thus Easter’s date was a complex task. To simplify this, the Golden Number was developed. This number is part of a 19-year cycle, known as the Metonic cycle, in which lunar phases repeat on roughly the same dates.
To find the Golden Number for a given year, you add 1 to the year and divide by 19. The remainder is the Golden Number. For 2025: (2025 + 1) / 19 = 106 with a remainder of 12. So, the Golden Number for 2025 is 12, indicating it’s the 12th year in the Metonic cycle. While less commonly used today with readily available calendars, the Golden Number represents a fascinating piece of history in the calculation of Easter.
The Significance of Easter
Beyond the date calculations, Easter’s true importance lies in its religious meaning. It is the most sacred day in the Christian calendar, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This event is the cornerstone of Christian faith, symbolizing hope, renewal, and the triumph of life over death. Easter marks the culmination of Holy Week and the Lenten season, and the beginning of the Easter season in the liturgical year.
Caption: A ceramic lamb with a wooden cross, symbols often associated with Easter, representing sacrifice and new beginnings.
Tracing the Word “Easter”: Origins and Meanings
The word “Easter” itself has a rich and somewhat debated history. While its religious significance is undeniable, the etymological origins are less clear-cut.
One theory suggests it derives from “Pascha,” a Latin term rooted in “Pesach,” the Hebrew word for Passover. This connection is significant because the Last Supper, Jesus’ final meal with his disciples, was a Passover Seder. The idea of Jesus as the “Paschal Lamb,” sacrificed for humanity, further links Easter to Passover themes.
However, another intriguing theory, popularized by the Venerable Bede, links “Easter” to Eostre, an Anglo-Saxon goddess of dawn and spring fertility. It’s proposed that early Christians may have adopted the name of the month, “Eosturmonath” (April), to refer to the Feast of the Resurrection. Alternatively, “Easter” may simply stem from an old German word for “east” or “dawn,” symbolizing rising and new beginnings, aligning with the themes of resurrection.
Caption: Decorated Easter eggs and an Easter cake, traditional treats enjoyed during Easter celebrations.
Regardless of the precise etymological roots, “Easter” has become firmly established as the English name for this central Christian holiday.
Celebrating Spring: Easter Traditions and Food
Easter is also deeply intertwined with the celebration of spring. Many Easter traditions reflect themes of rebirth, new life, and the abundance of the season. Traditional Easter foods often feature spring produce and symbolic items like eggs, lamb, and ham. Popular Easter treats range from hot cross buns and sweet breads to carrot cake and, of course, chocolate eggs.
Caption: Greek Easter Bread (Lambropsomo), a delicious traditional Easter bread. Photo by Pasta/Shutterstock.
Whether you’re interested in the astronomical calculations, the historical origins, or the religious significance, Easter is a holiday rich in meaning and tradition. While it may not be in March this year, Easter in April still brings the promise of spring and the celebration of renewal and hope. Happy Easter!
