2007-02-28 21:13:53 · 10 answers · asked by Yellow Dice 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Easter
Believe it or not, Easter was not celebrated by the church until the 2nd Century. It was nearly always followed by 50 days focusing on the resurrection. There were two ways the date of Easter was celebrated. In Asia Minor, Christians celebrated Easter on the Jewish Passover, (14th of Nisan in the Jewish calendar) no matter what day of the week. Others used the Sunday after Passover. In 325 A.D., the church declared that Easter was to “be on the Sunday that followed the first full moon after the spring equinox.” That means Easter can be as early as March 22nd and as late as April 25th.
The date for Easter for the Orthodox churches, which still use the Julian calendar, still differs from Western churches, which use the Gregorian calendar. As a result, the Easter date is usually one to four weeks later than in the West.
2007-02-28 21:22:43 · answer #1 · answered by Frenchie 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Easter usually comes in the month of April. It is what is called a 'moveable feast' because the date of it is fixed according to the moon.
Easter is the first Sunday after the Full Moon that occurs on or after the Vernal (Spring) Equinox (March 21) - the Paschal Full Moon . If the Full Moon falls on a Sunday then Easter is the next Sunday.
This means that Easter can fall as early as March 22 or as late as April 25.
2007-02-28 21:18:53 · answer #2 · answered by Kayleigh B 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It was set up so very long ago, by the cycles of the moon. It's interesting that the Greek Orthodox has a different way of calculating Easter. There are two dates listed on my calendar for Western and Greek Easter holidays, and every so often, like this year, they are the same day. I guess it's just always a nice surprise every year...will Easter be early? Will it be later? Will it be on my birthday?
2007-03-02 07:37:30 · answer #3 · answered by Sweet n Sour 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Easter is the first Sunday after the Full Moon that occurs on or after the Vernal (Spring) Equinox (March 21) - the Paschal Full Moon . If the Full Moon falls on a Sunday then Easter is the next Sunday
2007-03-01 00:08:47 · answer #4 · answered by bambola1uk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Easter, annual festival commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the principal feast of the Christian year. It is celebrated on a Sunday on varying dates between March 22 and April 25 and is therefore called a movable feast.
2007-03-02 02:55:58 · answer #5 · answered by Sponge_Bob Kidd 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is supposed to be the sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox..... or somthin like that.
2007-02-28 21:18:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tis a dirty trick started by the council of churches circa 325 A.D. All to keep us confused as to the actual date, which is a holy secret.
Or to keep us hooked up to the old lunar callendar, the one used by Jewish people to time the Passover. That is of course the direct relationship--Passover, Death of Christ and his rising.
--That Cheeky Lad
2007-03-01 04:51:07 · answer #7 · answered by Charles-CeeJay_UK_ USA/CheekyLad 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
It is to do with the lunar cycle. It also must not conflict with any Jewish festivities.
I can send you a formula to calculate it if you want.
2007-02-28 21:23:30 · answer #8 · answered by Alex 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It depends on the lunar calendar....
2007-02-28 21:17:39 · answer #9 · answered by Vinz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because it's not that important. They could even scrap it if they wanted. It's just a money making con anyway.
Just like Christmas.
2007-02-28 21:25:11 · answer #10 · answered by Afi 7 · 5⤊ 5⤋