Easter, also known as Pascha or the Resurrection Sunday. It is the celebration of Christ’s death, Burial and resurrection in 3 consecutive days which is found in details in the New Testament of the Bible.
The word “Easter”, is believed to hail from many things. Some believed the word comes from an old German word for “East”, some believed it came from an even older Latin word for “dawn” (Note: spring marks the start of longer days (dawn) and shorter nights and it starts from the East).
However, some believed that the word “Easter”, comes from the name of a Pre-Christian goddess from England known as Eostre, she was celebrated at the start of spring.
This date-moveable Christian event doesn’t come up on a specific date every year, for example; Last year (2021), Easter Sunday was celebrated on the 4th of April, while this year (2022), it is being celebrated on the 17th of April.
To determine Easter date, there are certain words and events used which must be gotten before determining an Easter date.
- Spring: Season after winter but before summer and is characterized with growth of new vegetation but so you know, it differs in different hemispheres.
- Hemisphere: Literally known as Half of a sphere (the Earth)
- Equinox: Known as a period when the sun passes that imaginary line between the Northern and southern hemisphere (The Equator). It happens twice every year. In March and September. March Equinox happens every March 19th or 20th or 21st.
- Paschal Full Moon: Paschal comes from the word Pascha known as the Jewish feast of the Passover. However, it is of note that Jesus was Crucified the same week that Passover was been celebrated. Moreover, in 1 Corinthians 5:7, Apostle Paul refers Jesus to our Passover Lamb.
Now to determine the date of Easter, one must note that Easter Sunday falls on any Sunday after the Paschal full moon and March Equinox. Though the Church’s date for the Equinox is March 21st, but it varies between 19th to 21st of March. Also, according to Metonic cycle, the Paschal full moon falls on 19 sequential dates from March 21- April 18 and so if Easter happens on any Sunday after the Paschal full moon, it has to fall between March 22nd and April 25th.
So, let’s determine this year’s Easter date. According to www.timeanddate.com, March Equinox occurred on March 20th and Paschal full moon will rise on April 16th as predicted by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Therefore, Easter Sunday comes up on 17th April, 2022.
Be sure to celebrate this important date-moveable Christian event with family and friends. Happy Easter!
