How Christians determine Easter dates

Kenyan Catholic Archbishop Philip Anyolo celebrates Easter Sunday at Holy Family Basilica in Nairobi in 2022. [File, Standard]

Have you ever wondered why Easter dates keep changing every year? How are the dates determined?

Sometimes the world marks the Easter Holiday in March and sometimes it is celebrated in April.

For instance, in 2023, Easter was celebrated on April 9. In 2024, the same celebrations will be held on March 31. In 2025, Easter will be on April 20.

So why is there an inconsistency in the dates?

It is a holiday for Christians to remember and celebrate the death, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ on a Sunday during the Spring season every year.

Spring is a season just before Summer and right after Winter.

The Catholic Church set Easter to be celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon otherwise geographically known as the equinox.

The actual date of the spring equinox can differ by a day or two, Therefore, the Catholic Church created a fixed date of March 21 to define it.

So once the full moon is seen, Easter is celebrated the first Sunday after.

In most parts of the world, Christians use the Gregorian calendar, which can place the date of Easter anywhere between March 22 and April 25.