Why the date of Easter changes every year – and when it falls in 2021

Easter can be a bit confusing, as the date changes each year.

Normally, when there isn't a pandemic, you might be wanting to plan a getaway with the family. This year maybe you're hoping to have an Easter feast with your household, depending on what happens between now and then.

Whatever your plans are this Easter, you'll want to know when it is, so you can get it in your diary.

Another question that many people would like to know is why does the date change? It’s a question that has baffled many people for years.

Here is everything you need to know.

When is Easter 2021?

In 2021 Easter Sunday falls on April 4, which means Good Friday falls on April 2 and Easter Monday on April 5.

Why does the date of Easter change every year?

Sometimes it falls at the end of March, other years it's late April and the simple reason for this is the Moon!

Easter marks the date of Jesus’s death and resurrection. However different Christian groups disagree on the date to celebrate the resurrection, which according to the Bible happened around the time of Jewish Passover.

Easter is based on the notion that the holiday falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring equinox.

The Church always recognises the Spring equinox as March 21, which means the absolute earliest Easter can fall is March 22.

The latest possible date for Easter is April 25.

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Historically the full moon followed the ecclesiastical way (meaning it was of the church) but now astronomers take a more modern approach.

The debate on when Easter should be celebrated goes back many years.

In 325 AD Emperor Constantine called the council of Nicea, the first Council of the Christian Church to settle the date of Easter once and for all.

It was decided that Christians should celebrate Easter on the first full moon on or after the spring equinox.

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