When Is Easter

Easter Day or Easter Sunday is the central religious feast in the Christian liturgical year that marks the end of Lent and is preceded by a 40-day period of fasting, penance, temperance and spiritual discipline. Also known as Resurrection Day or Resurrection Sunday, this day is observed to solemnize the rising of Christ from the dead, three days after he was crucified. This springtime festival is commemorated with great gusto with chocolate bunnies, marshmallow chicks, jellybean-filled Easter eggs, hot cross buns, and candles forming the major attractions of this festivity. Easter Day is mainly observed two days after Good Friday. Officially, Easter celebrations begin with Ash Wednesday and ends with Pentecost Sunday. However, Easter Sunday doesn't always fall in the same date. Wonder why?

Easter Day is primarily determined in respect to the vernal equinox, a day when both the day and the night are of equal duration. Due to its connection to the motions of the sun and the moon, Easter has been commonly observed as a ritual of the spring. The vernal equinox is that one time of the year when the sun passes the celestial equator and the length of the day and the night are almost equal. Easter usually falls on the first Sunday after first full moon following the spring equinox and it may occur 2 to37 days from the vernal equinox. This explains why the Easter Day usually ambles in the calendar.

Easter day usually fall on different dates, as they are determined after the Jewish Lunar Calendar. Hence, Easter is also known as moveable feast. Easter usually occurs anywhere between March 22 and April 25. The history of Easter dates back to 325 AD, to the period of Emperor Constantine. The Emperor in the Council of Nicaea issued the order that Easter should be celebrated on the first Sunday that falls after the full moon following the Spring Equinox. Hence, the feast came to be observed on the first Sunday after full moon or vernal equinox.

Easter this year falls on 31 March, 2013. The Easter celebrations start with Ash Wednesday on February 22 and conclude with the Easter feasting on Easter Sunday. Easter is truly the time to dig into all the lip-smacking treats, make interesting paper crafts, revel amidst the colorful spring blooms, and deck up your homes with beautiful decorations. Easter isn't just about rising of the Christ, but also marks the onset of spring and heralds new birth. If you are looking for best way to spread the Easter cheer, then there is no better way than indulging on sugar candies and decking up your homes with bunnies and eggs. The Easter Day may vary year after year, but the zeal and passion with which the festival is welcomed remains the same every year. So what are you waiting for? Get hold of eggs, bunnies, spring blooms and candies and bring in the Easter with a never before kind of an enthusiasm.

Easter 2013 Dates