Why Easter 2025 Is So Late? Understanding the Rare Blood Moon Eclipse’s Impact and Complex Calculation Behind This Unusually Delayed Easter Sunday Date

Easter is one of the most significant celebrations in the Christian faith, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Traditionally celebrated on a Sunday, its date shifts every year, unlike fixed holidays. In 2025, Easter falls unusually late on April 20, a date much later than expected. Typically, Easter occurs between late March and mid-April but this year’s delay has raised questions about the reasons behind it. The reason Easter 2025 is so late lies in the complex method used to determine the date which is influenced by both the lunar calendar and astronomical events such as the blood moon. Blood Moon 2025 Date and Time: This Year’s First Total Lunar Eclipse Set To Grace the Sky, Here’s Significance and Other Details You Should Know.

Easter 2025 Date

Easter's date is determined by a method known as the ecclesiastical approximation of the lunar calendar. The date is based on the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs on or after the vernal equinox (the first day of spring). This system was designed to align Easter with the Jewish holiday of Passover, which follows the lunar cycle. However, the church does not rely on the actual astronomical full moon but rather uses a fixed approximation to calculate the moon's phases. Because of this system, Easter can fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25 each year. Eclipses in 2025: Know Dates of Lunar Eclipse (Chandra Grahan), Solar Eclipse (Surya Grahan) and Other Celestial Events Set To Occur in New Year.

Another astronomical event that influences Easter’s timing is the blood moon, a phenomenon that happens during a total lunar eclipse. During a blood moon, the Earth casts its shadow over the moon, giving it a reddish hue. While the blood moon does not directly determine the date of Easter, it plays an important role in astronomical events that subtly influence the calculation. A blood moon near the vernal equinox can affect when the full moon falls in relation to the equinox, shifting the date Easter is celebrated.

How Are Easter Date And Lunar Cycle Related?

To better understand the connection between Easter and the lunar cycle, it is important to remember that the church originally adopted the moon's phases to align Easter with the timing of Passover. Jesus’ resurrection took place around Passover which is also governed by the lunar cycle. The system for calculating Easter’s date was formalised at the First Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, aiming to create a standardised date for the holiday across the Christian world. This decision also ensured that Easter would always occur in the spring, symbolising themes of renewal, resurrection and new life.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 06, 2025 02:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).