Here’s Why Easter is Early One Year and Late The Next?

Easter Sunday this year will be this Sunday, April 12. In some years, Easter happens in March and other years in April. Have you ever wondered why it changes every year and isn't on a set Sunday? Well, here is your answer.  

Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the first day of Spring. Since Spring arrived on March 19 and the first full moon after that date is today (April 7), the first Sunday after both events is this Sunday, April 12, making it Easter Sunday. Each year is different which makes a March date for Easter Sunday a possibility in some years as well.

Historically, it was back in the year 325 AD that Christian church leaders established the astronomical requirements that we still use today. Based on those requirements, Easter could fall anytime from March 22 - April 25.

In early times, there was some question of this formula simply because of different calendars that were used, but in 1582 the much improved Gregorian Calendar was established  which became the norm in Europe and most of the world.

So now you know why!