Last year, Easter Sunday graced the month of April. This year, in 2024, Easter arrives in March. And in 2025, it will shift back to April again. This annual dance across the calendar begs the question: Why Is Easter In March This Year and how exactly is the date of Easter determined?
Easter, the most significant festival in the Christian calendar, celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s the culmination of the Paschal Triduum, considered the most sacred period in the church year, commemorating the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus, as highlighted by the Diocese of Des Moines. In 2024, Easter Sunday falls on March 31st. Whether your Easter celebrations involve joyous easter egg hunts, reflective church services, or a delightful family brunch, understanding the reason behind its date adds depth to the holiday.
The Lunar Connection: How the Moon Dictates Easter
The date of Easter is not arbitrary; it’s determined by a fascinating celestial rule. Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or just after the spring equinox. While the astronomical spring equinox varies slightly each year, the Catholic Church has established a fixed date of March 21st to define it for Easter calculations, as reported by USA TODAY. Therefore, it’s the full moon following this fixed equinox date that ultimately dictates the Sunday of Easter.
Children in costume celebrating Easter
Last year, the Paschal full moon – named from “Pascha,” the Greek and Latin word for Passover – appeared on Thursday, April 6th. Consequently, Easter was observed on Sunday, April 9th. This lunar connection is why Easter’s date shifts annually, sometimes falling in March and sometimes in April.
Easter 2024: March Explanation
For Easter 2024 being in March, we need to examine the lunar calendar in relation to the spring equinox. The spring equinox, fixed at March 21st, is the starting point. The full moon that followed this date in 2024 occurred relatively early. This “Paschal full moon” happened in March, leading to Easter Sunday being celebrated on the last Sunday of March, March 31st.
Looking Ahead: Easter 2025
Mark your calendars for Easter 2025, which will be celebrated on April 20th. The shift back to April occurs because the full moon following the fixed spring equinox in 2025 will happen later in the lunar cycle, pushing the subsequent Sunday into April. This continuous interplay between the spring equinox and the lunar cycle is the key to understanding the varying dates of Easter each year.
Good Friday: Contextualizing the Holy Week
Leading up to Easter Sunday is Good Friday, a day of solemn observance for Christians worldwide. In 2024, Good Friday falls on March 29th. This day commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. According to the BBC, Good Friday is a time for Christians to deeply contemplate “Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross.”
It’s important to note that while Good Friday is a significant religious day and part of Holy Week, it is not a federal holiday. While institutions like the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq are closed, the post office remains open for deliveries, and most banks also operate on Good Friday, as reported by USA TODAY.
In conclusion, the date of Easter, and therefore whether it falls in March or April, is intrinsically linked to the lunar cycle and its relationship to the spring equinox. This ancient method of calculation ensures that Easter remains connected to its historical and astronomical roots, making it a truly unique and annually anticipated celebration.
