When is Easter 2024? Why Does the Easter Holiday Date Change Every Year?

Easter holds immense significance worldwide, especially for Christians, symbolizing the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Beyond its religious importance, Easter is a time of joy and unity. In this blog, we explore the intriguing question: Why does the date of Easter shift annually? Let's uncover the reasons behind this phenomenon and discover when Easter falls in 2024.

What is Easter and why is it celebrated?

Easter is the commemoration of Jesus' resurrection from the tomb three days after his crucifixion, fulfilling the prophecy of the Messiah, as described in Isaiah 53. It serves as a reminder of the hope and victory over sin that his resurrection brings. According to the New Testament, Easter occurs three days after Jesus' crucifixion.

“Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.” (KJV Matthew 27:62-63)

You can find the entire Biblical account of Resurrection Day in this free app

When is Easter and Why Does the Date Change?

In 2024, Easter falls on Sunday, March 31st. Easter is celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon, the Paschal full moon, after the vernal equinox. Since the vernal equinox date changes yearly, calculating the proper date can be difficult.

While some religions use a lunar calendar, Christianity does not, and yet Easter is a lunar festival, just like Ramadan, Passover, and the Chinese Lunar New Year.

At the core of all of this is the lunar year. While Earth takes 365.25 days to orbit the Sun, the moon takes 29.5 days to orbit the Earth. So, a lunar year is 354.3 days. There’s a 10 or 11-day lag between the two—and that explains why the dates of Easter differ so much from year to year.

Future Easter Dates

April 20, 2025

April 5, 2026

March 27, 2027

April 16, 2028

Preceding Easter is the period of Lent, a time of fasting and reflection observed by many churches, beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending on Good Friday, the day of Jesus' crucifixion. This 40-day duration was established by Pope Gregory I, based on the 40-day periods of Israel, Moses, Elijah, and Jesus' time in the wilderness.

The week leading up to Easter, known as The Holy Week or "Passion Week," encompasses Palm Sunday (when Jesus entered Jerusalem and was celebrated), Maundy Thursday (the "Last Supper," where Jesus observed Passover with his disciples), and Good Friday (the day of Jesus' crucifixion on the cross).

Easter holds great significance in Christianity, serving as the cornerstone of the Christian faith. It signifies the fulfillment of prophecy by Jesus, the Son of God, and through his death, offers the gift of eternal life in heaven to those who believe in his resurrection.

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When is Lent in 2024? Lent 2024 dates calendar and timeline.

10 Easter prayers for 2024.