Unraveling the Ever-Shifting Date of Easter

Easter, one of the most significant festivals in the Christian calendar, is celebrated with joyous fervor worldwide. From attending Church to Easter Egg Hunts for the kids, Easter Baskets and Family Easter Dinners.

Yet, unlike fixed-date holidays such as Christmas, Easter’s date seems to dance around the calendar each year, prompting many to wonder: why does Easter fall on different dates annually?

Unraveling this mystery requires delving into the historical, astronomical, and religious intricacies that have shaped Easter’s ever-shifting date.

Astronomical Foundations: At its core, the date of Easter is closely tied to astronomical events, specifically the vernal equinox and the phases of the moon. The vernal equinox, marking the beginning of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, typically falls on March 20th or 21st. Meanwhile, Easter is determined as the first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox. This linkage to celestial events stems from the traditions…