About this Tool

The date of Easter is not fixed and changes every year. It is what's known as a "movable feast." The calculation is based on the cycles of the moon and the vernal equinox.

Western vs. Orthodox Easter Date

The primary reason for the different Easter dates is the use of different calendars. Western churches (like Catholic and Protestant) use the Gregorian calendar, which is the standard civil calendar used today. Orthodox churches, however, still base their Easter date on the older Julian calendar.

• Western Easter: Uses the Gregorian calendar. The rule, established at the First Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D., is that Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs on or after the vernal equinox. The church fixed the equinox date at March 21 for calculation purposes.
• Orthodox Easter: Uses the same Nicaean rule but applies it to the Julian calendar. Because the Julian calendar is currently 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar, the vernal equinox and subsequent full moon are calculated from a different starting point, resulting in a later date.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many days are between Thanksgiving and Christmas?

In the U.S., there are between 27 and 33 days. Thanksgiving is on the fourth Thursday of November, while Christmas is on December 25th. The exact interval varies each year.

Is Christmas always on December 25th?

Yes, for Western Christian churches. Eastern Orthodox churches use the older Julian calendar, so their Christmas celebration falls on January 7th of the Gregorian calendar.