Catholic Replies
Q. Can you explain how the date for Easter is determined? It changes every year. — R.W., Massachusetts. A. Since the Council of Nicaea in 325, the date on which Easter falls is determined by the full moon. It is celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon occurring after the vernal equinox, that is, the time of the year when the sun crosses the equator and day and night are everywhere of equal length. Since this is around March 21, it means that Easter can fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25. There have been suggestions that Easter be celebrated on a fixed date every year, and the Church has not expressed an objection to that…Continue Reading