When is Easter 2023 and Why Does the Date Change Every Year?
We celebrate Christmas on December 25 every year, Halloween is always October 31, and Thanksgiving is always the fourth Thursday in November. So, why does Easter have to make things complicated by changing the date every year? Let's find out.
The Phases of the Moon Determine the Date of Easter
Basically, the Easter bunny has to know when the full moon falls on the calendar between March and April. There's more to it of course, but that's the first thing we need to know.
Easter is a Moveable Feast, so it Does Not Have a Fixed Date
Easter is always celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon which occurs on or after March 21. This means that Easter can fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25. The reason for these rules dates back to the early days of Christianity when there was disagreement about the date of Easter among different Christian communities.
I seriously always assumed that Easter was during spring break. I guess sometimes they line up, but not this year.
It sounds complicated, but the basic idea is to make it simpler to calculate the date for modern calendars. Rest assured, the dates for Easter are calculated long in advance.
Read More: Southern Indiana Animal Rescue Will 'Egg' Your Yard this Easter
When is Easter in 2023?
The Old Farmers Almanac is an excellent source for the lunar cycles and how they affect everything from planting to when you should cut your hair. This year, Easter will be on Sunday, April 9, 2023. If you don't want too much of that delicious Easter candy around the house, keep reading.