Last Updated on March 7, 2024 by Kimberly Crawford
Easter is a religious holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is typically observed on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. This year, Easter falls on March 31st. But what about next year? When will Easter be in 2024? Keep reading to find out!
When is Easter in 2024?
Easter Sunday in 2024 is scheduled to take place on March 31st. This is consistent with the same dates Easter has been observed in recent years.
Easter is celebrated by many Christian denominations, and traditionally marks the end of Lent, a period of fasting and repentance that occurs for 40 days prior to Easter Sunday.
Throughout this special weekend, families across the country will gather together to celebrate with traditional Easter egg hunts, church services, and delicious meals. From age-old traditions, like dyeing eggs and decorating baskets for the kids, to modern activities such as hosting a Zoom Egg Hunt or an in-person scavenger hunt (following social distancing guidelines of course!), there are plenty of creative ways to mark the occasion with your loved ones.
What is Easter?
Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, according to Christian scripture. The New Testament records that after his death, he was buried in a tomb and rose again three days later. Easter is seen as a symbol of hope and redemption for many Christians around the world.
In addition to its religious significance, Easter is also a time of festive celebration, when families and friends get together to enjoy traditional activities like Easter egg hunts, chocolate bunnies, marshmallow Peeps, and hot cross buns.
How is Easter determined each year?
Easter is calculated based on the lunar calendar, which was established by a council of Christian leaders in 325 A.D. It always falls on the first Sunday following the Paschal Full Moon, which is the first full moon after March 20th (the Spring Equinox).
The date for Easter can change each year, ranging from as early as March 22nd to as late as April 25th. However, it’s not always easy to predict when Easter will come around since the date is determined by an astronomical event – a full moon that’s based on calculations of the sun and moon!
When is Lent in 2024?
Lent is the 40-day period of fasting and reflection leading up to Easter Sunday. It begins on Maundy Thursday (March 28th, 2024) and ends on Holy Saturday (March 30th, 2024). During Lent, many Christians practice acts of self-denial as a form of spiritual discipline.
Why does Easter Bunny bring Easter eggs?
Well, the tradition of an egg-bearing Easter Bunny has actually been around for centuries! The idea is said to have originated in Germany in the 1700s as a symbol of fertility and rebirth.
Over time, this custom morphed into what we know today—a beloved Easter character who brings baskets of chocolate and candy-filled eggs to children all over the world. Whether you celebrate with a real rabbit, or just an egg-bearing plush one, the Easter Bunny is a beloved symbol of springtime and rebirth!
When is the rarest Easter date?
The rarest Easter date is March 24th. This day typically falls once in every 5,700 years, making it the least common date for Easter.
It was last observed in 1818 and will not be seen again until 2285! While this is certainly an interesting factoid to know, it’s also important to remember that the exact date of Easter changes each year depending on the lunar cycle.
What has been the earliest date for Easter?
Believe it or not, the earliest Easter celebration can be traced back to March 22nd in the year 325 AD. That’s when Emperor Constantine I and the Council of Nicaea ruled that Easter should always fall on a Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox—the official beginning of spring.
This was intended as a way to unify Christian churches across the world, and it’s still in effect today. March 22nd is actually the earliest possible date for Easter Sunday, but since the vernal equinox doesn’t always fall on this day (and can sometimes be as early as March 19th), there’s no guarantee that Easter will always come this early.
In fact, it’s only happened eight times since the Council of Nicaea! So while March 22nd may be the earliest date for Easter Sunday, don’t count on it happening every year.
What is the latest date Easter has ever been?
The most recent record for Easter’s latest date was set in 1943—it fell on April 25th of that year. It’s the most recent example of the holiday falling on its maximum possible date, as Easter Sunday is always celebrated on the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon.
Interestingly, this means that Easter doesn’t always fall within the same month—it could be celebrated in March or April.
Is Easter always in March or April?
The answer is a resounding yes! Easter usually falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon of Spring, which can occur in either March or April each year.
The exact dates for Easter are determined by the ecclesiastical calendar of the Christian faith and can range from late March to early April, depending on the timing of that full moon.
As the time of Easter changes each year, it’s important to stay up-to-date on when the holiday will fall so you can plan your festivities accordingly.
Why is Easter determined by the moon?
Many of us are familiar with Easter being celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon—but why? The tradition dates back to early Christianity, when the date was aligned with Jewish Passover.
The Jewish calendar follows a lunar cycle of 28 days, so to determine when Passover should fall each year, scholars would look for the first full moon after the vernal equinox. From there, Easter was set as the following Sunday.
In modern times, this means that Easter can fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25 on any given year. This cycle also has a direct correlation to nature, with flowers blooming and trees coming back to life around this time of renewal each spring. It’s a beautiful way to honor the beauty of nature and represent new life in celebration of Jesus’ resurrection.
When is Greek Easter 2024?
This year, Greek Easter will take place on Sunday, April 16th. In Greece, the celebration of this special holiday is marked with a number of traditional activities and customs that embrace centuries-old traditions.
Many families exchange dyed eggs, bake delicious savory pastries like koulourakia (butter cookies) or tsoureki (sweet braided bread) and dye hard-boiled eggs a deep red color. On Easter Sunday, many families will also attend church services, watch fireworks, and even enjoy a lamb dinner.
When is Orthodox Easter 2024?
The answer is May 5th, 2024. This special and traditional holiday marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ in the Orthodox Church and is celebrated with several festive activities.
Gather your family and friends together to celebrate this joyous event with a traditional Easter feast and by attending services at your local Orthodox Church.
To make the most of your celebration, start planning now! Whether you’re preparing a delicious Easter dinner or organizing a special family outing, the traditional Easter holiday is sure to be filled with happiness and joy.
What is the difference between Orthodox and regular Easter?
Many Christians observe Easter as a celebration of Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead. However, there are two types of Easter that different parts of the world celebrate – Orthodox and regular Easter.
Both are based on the same biblical events, but they have some discrepancies in their customs and observances due to differences in when the Christian churches calculate the date for Easter. Orthodox Easter often falls later than regular Easter and some of the traditions differ as well.
Regular Easter is celebrated in western churches and follows the Gregorian calendar, so its date can vary from year to year. It always takes place between March 22nd and April 25th, with Easter Sunday falling on the first Sunday following the full moon after the Spring Equinox.
Orthodox Easter is celebrated in eastern churches and uses the Julian calendar, so its date can vary from year to year as well. It always takes place between April 4th and May 8th, with Easter Sunday falling on the first Sunday after the full moon following the Spring Equinox.
One of the main differences between regular Easter and Orthodox Easter is that the latter makes use of a different Paschal calculation. The Eastern churches also prepare for Lent differently, using more fast days than their Western counterparts.
This results in the two Easters being celebrated at different times – although they may be only one week apart. Another difference has to do with foods eaten during the celebration – in the West, chocolate eggs are popular for Easter, while in the East, dyed and boiled eggs (called ‘kulich’) are traditional.
Conclusion
Easter 2024 is sure to be a memorable one for all! From the traditional Sunday church services, to festive gatherings of family and friends, Easter is an event that brings joy and connection.
Enjoy the beauty of springtime and embrace the amazing traditions of this special holiday. Make sure to mark April 9th on your calendar – it’s Easter Sunday 2023 and it promises to be a wonderful day!