One of the most important Christian holidays, Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter marks the holiday associated with death and denotes the hope, renewal, and continuation of life rather than the feast of celebration. The widely held Easter date varies each year, based on the moon’s cycles and the March equinox, falling between the 22nd of March and the 25th of April. In 2025, the 20th of April would be one of the latest Easter Sundays in the last years. Alongside this, it serves as a point of renewal, reflection, and celebration through several customs, observances, and traditions that braid both Christian and pagan practices.
Why Does Easter Change Every Year?
The date for Easter changes every year because it is often deemed to be determined by the full moon, referred to as the Paschal Full Moon. This variation is explained by Easter Sunday being celebrated on one of the Sundays after there being a full moon on or after the March equinox, which happens to be around the 21st of March. For that reason, the date for Easter can vary between the 22nd of March and the 25th of April in different years. In 2025, the full moon will fall on the 13th of April, and Easter Sunday is expected to be on the 20th of April.
Why is Easter Celebrated? The Story Behind It
Easter is celebrated as a remembrance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, which is the foundation of Christianity. Jesus was considered the Son of God and was believed to be crucified on a day known as Good Friday. He died for the sake of the sins of the world. Following his death, they placed his body in a tomb and concealed it with a stone. But on Easter Sunday, people who believed in Jesus were shocked to see the tomb empty and that Jesus had risen from the dead.
The resurrection of Jesus is an indication that He triumphed over sin and death and also guarantees Christians the promise of eternal life. Therefore, Easter is not only a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus but also a representation of spiritual renewal and rebirth. It rejoices over hope and new beginnings along with the fact that life has won over death.
Key Holy Week Dates for 2025
| Event | Date | Significance |
| Palm Sunday | April 13, 2025 | Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, beginning Holy Week. |
| Holy Thursday | April 17, 2025 | Commemorates the Last Supper and the Eucharist. |
| Good Friday | April 18, 2025 | Remembrance of Jesus’ crucifixion. |
| Holy Saturday | April 19, 2025 | The day of waiting between Jesus’ death and resurrection. |
| Easter Sunday | April 20, 2025 | Celebrates Jesus’ resurrection. |
| Easter Monday | April 21, 2025 | A public holiday in some countries, marking the end of Easter celebrations. |
Easter Symbols & Traditions
| Symbol | Meaning | Tradition |
| Easter Eggs | Represents new life and Jesus’ resurrection. | Egg decorating and egg hunts are popular traditions. |
| Easter Bunny | Symbolizes fertility and renewal. | The Easter Bunny hides eggs for children to find. |
| Lamb | Represents Jesus as the “Lamb of God.” | Lamb is a traditional Easter meal in many cultures. |
| Easter Baskets | Symbolizes the joy of Easter. | Filled with candy, chocolate, or toys, especially for children. |
Easter Traditions in the U.S.
In the U.S., it is a well-known fact that Easter isn’t a federal holiday, but it is treated as one due to the numerous church activities, family gatherings, and the famous Easter egg hunts. Another well-known custom is that many families prepare special meals to celebrate Easter that consist of lamb or ham.
In an Easter egg hunt, children search for eggs made out of real eggshells, plastic, or chocolate. The hunt is a widely enjoyed activity.
Family members and parents often spend Easter together enjoying the meal that could include a whole lamb, ham, and even bakery items.
Easter’s Date: Why It Varies
Easter’s date is inconsistent due to its reliance on a lunisolar calendar and the lunar cycle. Easter will always take place on the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon in spring (March 21), which can lead to Easter falling on March 22nd through to April 25th.
In 2025, Easter Sunday will come around on April 20th, which has been observed as one of the later holidays in succession these days.
Easter Around the World
Globally, Easter will be visually enjoyed, as evident by the practices that always differ in Easter celebrations:
The Eastern Orthodox community tends to differ in celebrating as they follow the Julian calendar, while Western Christians (Catholic and Protestant) use the Gregorian calendar. This difference can give rise to a variation in the dates of Easter.
Different cultures use special pastries and Jollof rice as Easter food, much like lamb.
Easter is a time of renewal and hope for many Christians observing around the world. On the 20th of April in 2025, church gatherings will mix with family gatherings and Easter egg hunts. The day will be celebrated not only for its Christian traditions but also for its pagan origins. While it’s not a public holiday in America, Easter is a time to celebrate love, life, and rebirth.
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