Fixing the Date for Easter

So many people get confused with the date of Easter. It is true that sometimes Easter is so late, as was the case last year, and at other years it may be as much as a month earlier. Everything depends on the moon, and that is why astronomers know exactly the date of Easter even as far as 500 years from now. Incredible, but true.

The moon, as well as the sun, has a powerful effect upon the earth and upon the life of man. Some ancient people, such as the Hebrews, felt so strongly about this, that they based their calendars upon the rhythms of the moon. We call these “lunar” calendars. Other people based their calendars on the sun, including the Romans. As Christianity began in the Holy Land, establishing certain dates became difficult because some people used the “lunar” calendars while others used the “solar” calendar. They agreed on mostly all dates except for Easter Sunday. Then in the 4th century, with the help of some astronomers, a decision was made, taking into account the position of both the moon and the sun in relation to the earth.

It was finally accepted that Easter would always be celebrated on the First Sunday after the full moon that follows the Spring Equinox (March 20 or 21). That is why Easter can fall anytime between March 22 and April 25. This year we had a full moon on Easter Saturday, March 31. So, a day's difference would have sent this Easter to late April!