When is Easter in 2025?

In 2025, Easter Sunday falls on **April 20** [https://www.today.com/life/holidays/when-is-easter-2025-rcna195823]. This date marks the culmination of the Christian Holy Week and is observed by millions worldwide as a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Because Easter is a "movable feast," its date shifts annually based on lunar and solar cycles rather than remaining fixed on the Gregorian calendar, often leading to questions about why the holiday arrives at different times each spring.

### Why does the date of Easter change every year?
The date of Easter is determined by the complex interaction of astronomical events and ecclesiastical rules. Unlike Christmas, which occurs on a fixed date, Easter is tied to the "Paschal Full Moon"—an ecclesiastical calculation that follows the spring equinox [https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2025/03/23/when-is-easter-good-friday-2025-dates-events/82593840007/]. According to the rules established by the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, Easter is observed on the first Sunday following the first full moon that occurs on or after the vernal equinox (March 21) [https://www.calendardate.com/easter_2025.htm]. Because these lunar phases do not align perfectly with the standard 365-day calendar, the date of Easter can fluctuate significantly, ranging anywhere from March 22 to April 25 [https://www.today.com/life/holidays/when-is-easter-2025-rcna195823].

### What is the relationship between Easter and the Lunar Calendar?
The reliance on a lunisolar calendar means that the "full moon" used to set the date is not necessarily the astronomical full moon visible in the sky. Instead, the church uses an "ecclesiastical full moon" determined by standardized charts [https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2025/03/23/when-is-easter-good-friday-2025-dates-events/82593840007/]. This tradition honors the historical connection between Easter and the Jewish festival of Passover, which also follows lunar cycles. By anchoring the date to the moon, the liturgical calendar maintains a symbolic rhythm that has persisted for nearly two millennia [https://www.calendardate.com/easter_2025.htm].

### Does every Christian denomination celebrate Easter on the same day?
While most Western churches—including the Roman Catholic and many Protestant denominations—follow the Gregorian calendar, many Eastern Orthodox churches calculate Easter using the Julian calendar [https://www.calendardate.com/easter_2025.htm]. This discrepancy often results in the two traditions celebrating the holiday on different Sundays. While they occasionally coincide, the use of different calendar systems means that Eastern Orthodox Easter often falls later than Western Easter, sometimes by several weeks [https://www.calendardate.com/easter_2025.htm].

### Key Takeaways
* **Official Date:** Easter Sunday in 2025 is April 20.
* **Determination Logic:** The date is set by the first ecclesiastical full moon after the vernal equinox (March 21).
* **Fixed Range:** Easter always falls between March 22 and April 25.
* **Global Variations:** Differences in calendar systems (Gregorian vs. Julian) mean that Eastern Orthodox celebrations may not align with Western dates.

Understanding the timing of Easter is more than a matter of marking a calendar; it is a look into the ancient systems that have organized religious life for centuries. As we see with the 2025 date, the interplay between the moon and the sun continues to define this essential holiday, ensuring that each year carries its own unique timing within the spring season. Whether you are observing the holiday for religious reasons or participating in secular traditions, knowing how these dates are calculated helps demystify why this special Sunday feels like a moving target on the calendar.

## References
* [https://www.today.com/life/holidays/when-is-easter-2025-rcna195823](https://www.today.com/life/holidays/when-is-easter-2025-rcna195823)
* [https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2025/03/23/when-is-easter-good-friday-2025-dates-events/82593840007/](https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2025/03/23/when-is-easter-good-friday-2025-dates-events/82593840007/)
* [https://www.calendardate.com/easter_2025.htm](https://www.calendardate.com/easter_2025.htm)