Easter is one of the main and most revered holidays for Christians. On this day, they remember the feat and miraculous resurrection of the Savior, who endured death torments for people, giving people hope for a better life after death. According to a long-established tradition, Easter is always celebrated on Sunday. But how do you calculate the exact date of this great holiday? And why is this date also different in different years?
Instructions
Step 1
Easter Sunday is the Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox. The fact is that the date of this holiday is determined by the mutual position of the Sun and the Moon, therefore there is a very wide spread - from March 22 to April 25 according to the Julian calendar. Or, respectively, from April 7 to May 8 according to the Gregorian calendar.
Step 2
But why did such a spread in dates become possible at all? Was it really impossible to determine exactly when this event occurred? The fact is that Easter was originally a Jewish holiday, marking the exodus of the Jews, under the leadership of the prophet Moses from Egypt. According to the ancient Jewish calendar, Passover was celebrated on the fourteenth day of the first spring month of Nisan. However, due to the fact that each month for the Jews began on a new moon, Passover fell on the day of the full moon in March.
Step 3
Since, according to Christian canons, the crucifixion of the Savior took place on the eve of the Jewish Passover (which, recall, falls on different days of the week), at the ecumenical council in Nicaea, held in 325, it was decided: to celebrate Easter on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the day of the vernal equinox.
Step 4
In order for everyone to be able to calculate the day of Easter himself, the so-called "Easter" - special tables were compiled. You can use them, and at the same time calculate on what dates other significant holidays of Christians fall. After all, the feast of the Ascension of Christ is celebrated on the fortieth day after Easter, and the feast of the Trinity is celebrated on the fiftieth.
Step 5
You can also use the astronomical calendar, which shows the phases of the moon for the entire current year. You can easily determine on what date the first day of the full moon phase falls after the vernal equinox (March 21). And to determine the date of Sunday closest to this day - a couple of trifles. This will be the date of Easter.
Step 6
The question of determining the exact date of Easter in the old days was not only dealt with by clergymen, but also by many scientists, including world famous ones. For example, the famous German mathematician Karl Friedrich Gauss in the late 18th century developed a formula for calculating the day of Easter. It is quite voluminous. Anyone can easily find it on the Internet.
