1/4/2023 0 Comments Greek easter 2021![]() In reference to the full Moon, Paschal refers to the date of the full Moon determined many years ago as the 14th day of a lunar month. The word “ Paschal,” which is used in the ecclesiastical (Christian church) calendar, comes from “Pascha,” a transliteration of the Aramaic word meaning “Passover.” Thus, in 2019, Easter was held on Sunday, April 21, after the full Moon on Friday, April 19. However, because the Church observes the equinox on March 21, the full Moon technically did not occur “on or just after” the equinox, meaning that the next full Moon would determine Easter’s date instead. This discrepancy between the astronomical equinox date and the Church’s observed equinox date can sometimes cause confusion, as it did in 2019, when the full Moon and the astronomical equinox occurred on the same day-Wednesday, March 20.Īccording to the formula above, this should have meant that Easter would be observed on Sunday, March 24. Long ago, the Christian Church decided to simplify the process of calculating Easter’s date by always observing the spring equinox on March 21, despite the fact that the equinox date changes over time and is actually getting earlier. Generally, if the full Moon occurs on the same day as the spring equinox, Easter is observed on the subsequent Sunday. What Happens When the Full Moon and Spring Equinox Occur on the Same Day? So, to put it another way: Easter is observed on the Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon. ![]() In Christian calendars, the first full Moon of spring is called the “ Paschal Full Moon” (which we’ll explain further below). Therefore, Easter will be observed on the subsequent Sunday, which is Sunday, April 4. The first full Moon to occur after that date rises on Sunday, March 28. Let’s break it down: In 2021, the spring equinox happens on Saturday, March 20. ![]() Specifically, Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday following the full Moon that occurs on or just after the spring equinox. Would you believe that the date of Easter is related to the full Moon? In this case, the observance of Easter can occur between April 4 and May 8. Many Eastern Orthodox churches follow the Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian. ![]() Over a 500-year period (from 1600 to 2099 AD), it just so happens that Easter will have most often been celebrated on either March 31 or April 16. (Eastern Orthodox Easter will take place on Sunday, May 2.) This Easter is just one week after March’s full Moon (Sunday, March 28), which is the first full Moon to occur after the spring equinox (March 20, 2021) and is therefore known in the Christian calendar as the “ Paschal Full Moon.”Įaster is a “movable feast” and does not have a fixed date. However, it is always held on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25. This year, Easter will be observed on Sunday, April 4. ![]()
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