Astronomical Applications Department of the U.S. Naval
Observatory.
Gregorian Calendar
The usual statement, that Easter Day is the first Sunday after the full
moon that occurs next after the vernal equinox, is not a precise statement of
the actual ecclesiastical rules. The full moon involved is not the
astronomical Full Moon but an ecclesiastical moon (determined from tables)
that keeps, more or less, in step with the astronomical Moon.
The ecclesiastical rules are:
- Easter falls on the first Sunday following the first ecclesiastical full
moon that occurs on or after the day of the vernal equinox;
- this particular ecclesiastical full moon is the 14th day of a tabular
lunation (new moon); and
- the vernal equinox is fixed as March 21.
resulting in that Easter can never occur before March 22 or later than April
25.
See also -
Antipas Foundation -
It is an undisputable and well-known fact among Christians that the
crucifixion of Christ Jesus, His death and burial, was on a
Passover daytime period. A
Biblical fact documented so very well that it is neither an item for
debate nor even for doubt.
