- The full moon, aligning Moon, Earth and Sun every 29 days, is crucial in determining the date of Easter.
- In 2024, the full moon on March 25 determines that Easter will be celebrated on Sunday March 31.
- The date of Easter influences other Christian holidays such as Ascension on May 9 and Pentecost on May 19, 2024.
The full moon appears every 29 days. It marks a lunar phase where the Moon, Earth and Sun approximately align. This phase is also of crucial importance, particularly in calculating the date of Easter, the most important holiday in the Christian calendar marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Indeed, the date of Easter depends on a calculation which may seem complex involving the full moon. This date subsequently determines a certain number of other public holidays such as Palm Sunday, the start of Lent, Ascension and Pentecost. This is why the moon plays a major role, especially during the month of March.
THE FULL MOON PLAYS A DECISIVE ROLE ON THE DATE OF THE EASTER CELEBRATION
Indeed, according to the Council of Nicaea dating from 325 AD, the day of spring is conventionally fixed on March 21 each year. This date is fixed, even if, as is the case this year, the start of spring may be shifted to March 19 or March 20 depending on the spring equinox, i.e. the precise day of the year when the day phase is as long as the night phase. In 2024, it took place on March 20 and not March 21.
Mars will therefore experience its third full moon of the year in a few days. It will thus be the first to occur after the spring equinox. The date of the celebration of Easter Sunday will depend on this first full moon of spring. And this year, the latter will coincide, within a few days, with the spring equinox.
AN UNUSUAL EASTER CALENDAR THIS YEAR
Indeed, the full moon of March will fall on Monday March 25, 2024. Thus, still according to the Council of Nicaea, Easter must take place on the first Sunday following this full moon. This is why the celebration of Easter Day will take place this year on Sunday March 31.
On the other hand, a relatively rare occurrence, Easter Monday, which is certainly a public holiday, but not a day of celebration, will fall on Monday April 1, 2024. In fact, according to the calendar, the fact that the Monday of Easter coincides with April 1 and has only happened 7 times since 1900. A boon for children who will be able to enjoy their chocolate on this day while playing jokes on their pockets.
EASTER VARIES EVERY YEAR DEPENDING ON THE FULL MOON
So, it is now easier to understand why Easter never falls on the same date every year. It is the moon which determines the day of its celebration. On the other hand, this Christian holiday is always located between March 22 and April 25 with March 21 as the reference date for its calculation.
Finally, note that Easter is celebrated on March 31, 2024 this year, so the Ascension, which occurs 40 days after Easter, will fall on Thursday, May 9, 2024. Likewise, Pentecost, which is celebrated 50 days after Easter, will fall on Sunday. May 19, 2024. Dates which are certainly important in the Christian calendar, but also as public holidays.
