When is Easter in 2025: Orthodox and Catholic believers will celebrate on the same day

Next year, for the first time in almost 10 years, Christians will unite in celebrating one of the most important church events, Easter. In 2025, the Resurrection of Christ will fall on April 20.

This year, Catholics and Orthodox believers will once again celebrate Easter at the same time. The last time this happened was in 2017. The reason for such a rare coincidence is the transition of most Ukrainian churches to the New Julian calendar, OBOZ.UA reports.

The next time Catholics and Orthodox believers will celebrate Easter at the same time is in 2028.

Why the date of Easter changes every year

The date of Easter is not fixed and changes every year. This is due to the fact that Easter is a transitional holiday, which is determined by the lunar-solar cycle. Traditionally, it is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring.

Why Catholics and Orthodox sometimes celebrate Easter on different days

Historically, Western and Eastern Christians have used different calendars to calculate the date of Easter. This split arose in ancient times and has survived to this day. However, with the transition of most Ukrainian churches to the New Julian calendar, the situation is gradually changing.

What is the New Julian calendar?

The New Julian calendar is a reform of the Julian calendar that brings it closer to solar time. The transition to this calendar allows Orthodox churches to celebrate fixed holidays at the same time as Catholics and Protestants.

Easter: interesting facts

Easter is one of the greatest and final Christian holidays that symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This holiday is the central support of the Christian faith, following Christ's resurrection as a victory over death, as well as a guarantee of eternal life for all believers.

Easter has biblical origins and is associated with the events of Holy Week, especially Good Friday, when Jesus was crucified, and Easter Sunday, when he rose again. These events are mentioned in the Gospels of the New Testament and are key in Christian theology.

Easter also coincides with the Jewish holiday of Passover, which commemorates the liberation of the Jews from Egyptian slavery. Although these holidays have different meanings, there is a connection between them: Christ sacrificed himself for the salvation of people.

Easter traditions vary by country and denomination, but the basic elements of the celebration remain common. The celebration begins with a night service, during which believers bless Easter cakes, eggs and other dishes.

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