Ascultă Radio România Actualitaţi Live

Why celebrate The Resurrection on different days?

The time difference between the Catholic Easter and the Orthodox one is only a week distance this year, but in the last two years (2010 and 2011), the Easter date was the same for all Christians.

Why celebrate The Resurrection on different days?

Articol de Remus Rădulescu, 10 Aprilie 2012, 07:48

The Christian Easter date is established upon a rule which was set within the Ecumenical Synod I, in 325: Easter is in the first Sunday after full moon that follows spring equinox.

All Christian churches respect this rule.

The Orthodox Church respects also another rule: if the Christian Easter date is concomitant with the Jewish Easter, the Resurrection is moved the next Sunday.

So, there are considered two astronomical phenomena: a fixed one –the equinox and a variable one –full moon.

The gap time between the Catholic Easter and the Orthodox one in some years is caused, though, by the difference between the two calendars which are considered regarding the calculation of this date.

The Orthodox churches take into account the old calendar when it comes to settle the Easter date, while the Roman-Catholic, Protestant and Evangelical churches follow the new calendar.

The 13-day time difference between these calendars determines also the spring equinox to be delayed with 13 days from a calendar to another.

The full moon is an obvious criterion, irrespective of calendar, because it is visible on the sky.

Its closer or farther appearance from the spring equinox ,therefore influences overlaping or delaying of Easter date.

The one-week difference between the Catholic and Orthodox Easter in 2012 is not caused by the full moon appearance, but the coincidence with the Jewish Easter.

The Sunday after full moon, which follows the spring equinox this year is in the second day of Jewish Easter, so the Orthodox Church celebrates the Resurrection one week later.

The year when all Christians will celebrate Easter on the same date is 2014.

The Easter date for the next 10 years:

YearOrthodox Easter dateCatholic Easter date
2013May 5March 30
2014April 20April 20
2015April 12April 5
2016May 1March 27
2017April 16April 16
2018April 8April 1
2019April 28April 21
2020April 19April 12
2021May 2April 4
2022April 24April 17


Translated by Alexandra-Diana Mircea
MTTLC, Bucharest University

International driving license
News in English 03 Noiembrie 2024, 14:52

International driving license

From mid-October, people who need an international driver's license can apply for it at the Driving License and Vehicle...

International driving license
Romanian Foreign Minister confident Moldova will join the EU
News in English 03 Noiembrie 2024, 14:51

Romanian Foreign Minister confident Moldova will join the EU

The Romanian Foreign Minister is confident that the Republic of Moldova will remain firmly anchored on the European path and...

Romanian Foreign Minister confident Moldova will join the EU
The organization of the referendum with the presidential elections in the capital
News in English 01 Noiembrie 2024, 20:23

The organization of the referendum with the presidential elections in the capital

The organization of the referendum in the capital at the same time as the presidential elections is facing organizational and...

The organization of the referendum with the presidential elections in the capital
Metrorex collective contract negotiations continue
News in English 01 Noiembrie 2024, 20:22

Metrorex collective contract negotiations continue

Negotiations between Metrorex management and trade unionists yesterday at the Ministry of Transport headquarters ended...

Metrorex collective contract negotiations continue
950 polling stations will be open abroad for presidential and parliamentary elections
News in English 31 Octombrie 2024, 16:46

950 polling stations will be open abroad for presidential and parliamentary elections

950 polling stations will be open abroad for this year's presidential and parliamentary elections, announces the...

950 polling stations will be open abroad for presidential and parliamentary elections
The electoral campaign for parliamentary elections officially begins
News in English 31 Octombrie 2024, 16:45

The electoral campaign for parliamentary elections officially begins

The electoral campaign for parliamentary elections officially starts at midnight. Parties, alliances or independents vying...

The electoral campaign for parliamentary elections officially begins
Six of the 22 Romanian citizens reported missing in the floods in Spain are safe, MFA says
News in English 31 Octombrie 2024, 16:44

Six of the 22 Romanian citizens reported missing in the floods in Spain are safe, MFA says

Six Romanian citizens out of the 22 missing persons reported after the floods in Spain are safe, informs the Romanian...

Six of the 22 Romanian citizens reported missing in the floods in Spain are safe, MFA says
Researching for the Moon, at the Radio Hall
News in English 31 Octombrie 2024, 16:43

Researching for the Moon, at the Radio Hall

The Radio Big Band, together with the vocal duo "New Vegas Show", will present the show "Researching for the...

Researching for the Moon, at the Radio Hall