By Mary 
Easter 2025 will be celebrated on Sunday, April 20, 2025. But if you’ve ever wondered why Easter doesn’t have a fixed date on the calendar—why some years it’s in March, other years in April—this guide will explain the fascinating mix of astronomy, church councils, and tradition that determines Easter each year.
Easter 2025: April 20
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Easter Sunday 2025: April 20, 2025
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Good Friday 2025: April 18, 2025
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Holy Saturday (Easter Vigil): April 19, 2025
These dates follow the rule that Easter falls on the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon (the first full moon on or after the spring equinox). In 2025, that full moon occurs on April 13, making the next Sunday April 20.
The Origins of a Moving Feast
Council of Nicaea (325 AD)
In 325 AD, church leaders at the Council of Nicaea sought to unify the date of Easter. They decided:
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Easter would be celebrated on the first Sunday
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After the first full moon
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That occurs on or after March 21 (the fixed date for the spring equinox in the Church’s calculations)
This rule severs the link between Easter and the Jewish Passover calendar—though they remain close—so that all Christians worldwide would observe Easter on the same Sunday.
Ecclesiastical vs. Astronomical Equinox
The “spring equinox” for Easter calculations is fixed as March 21, even though the astronomical equinox can vary between March 19–21. The “Paschal Full Moon” is also determined by ecclesiastical tables, not direct sky observations, ensuring uniformity.
Why Easter Moves: The Paschal Full Moon
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Spring Equinox (ecclesiastical): fixed at March 21
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Paschal Full Moon: the first ecclesiastical full moon date on or after March 21
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Easter Sunday: the first Sunday after that Paschal Full Moon
Depending on how the lunar cycle aligns, Easter can fall as early as March 22 or as late as April 25. In 2025, the Paschal Full Moon falls on April 13, so Easter lands on April 20.
Variations in Eastern and Western Churches
While most Western churches (Catholic and Protestant) follow the Gregorian calendar to calculate Easter, many Eastern Orthodox churches use the older Julian calendar. This often results in Orthodox Easter falling one to five weeks later than Western Easter.
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Western Easter 2025: April 20 (Gregorian)
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Orthodox Easter 2025: May 5 (Julian), corresponding to April 22 on the Gregorian calendar for the Paschal Full Moon, but then the next Sunday is May 5.
This difference arises because the Julian calendar’s March 21 equinox falls 13 days after the Gregorian’s March 21.
Historical Highlights of Easter Dating
| Year | Easter Date (Western) | Notable Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 325 AD | April 20 | Council of Nicaea establishes the formula. |
| 1818 | March 22 | Earliest possible Easter date. |
| 1943 | April 25 | Latest possible Easter date. |
| 2025 | April 20 | Next “late” Easter in the second half of April. |
Impact on Your Yearly Planning
Because Easter shifts each year:
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School Holidays & Spring Breaks move around.
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Retail & Marketing Campaigns must adjust for Easter sales, promotions, and décor.
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Church Calendars schedule Lent, Holy Week, and Easter services based on the moving date.
Knowing that Easter 2025 is April 20 helps families, businesses, and faith communities plan events, vacations, and observances well in advance.
Quick Guide: Calculating Easter Yourself
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Find March 21 on the calendar.
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Determine the next full moon on or after that date (use an astronomical almanac or ecclesiastical tables).
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Locate the first Sunday after that full moon.
That Sunday is Easter. For 2025:
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Ecclesiastical full moon: April 13, 2025
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Next Sunday: April 20, 2025
Why It Matters
Easter’s movable date reminds us of its roots in both nature (the lunar cycle and spring renewal) and faith (the resurrection). It links Christian celebration to the rhythms of the earth and sky—inviting annual reflection on renewal, rebirth, and hope.