Is The Easter Date set by the Moon?

[thatsamore]

I know it sounds riducous, but I was told by someone last night that the date for Easter is chosen by the phases of the moon. How is the date actually set?

 

[Tintin]

The date of Easter is tied up with the date of the Jewish feast Passover, and the date of Passover is determined by the date of the first full moon after the spring equinox.

In theory therefore, the date of Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox. Or more simply, the first Sunday after Passover.

That’s the theory. The reality is slightly different. This is because in the fourth century, both the Jews and the Christians created calculation systems to predict the dates of Passover and Easter and actual observations of celestial events no longer played a part in the determination of the dates.

So the reality today is that Easter occurs on the sunday that (surprisingly accurate) fourth century calculations predicted would be the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox.

Interestingly, although the Jewish and Christian systems are both trying to predict the same thing, ( viz. the date of the first full moon after the spring equinox), because they are working to different calendar systems, you occansionally get the bizarre situation that Passover occurs after Easter!!

 

[Sir_Knight]

The “spring” equinox is referred to as the “Vernal” equinox.

 

[Tintin]

Well, all that “Vernal” equinox means is equinox which occurs in/ is related to the spring!

Funnily enough, neither name makes much sense if you live in the southern hemisphere as it certainly isn’t springtime in Australia in March!!

Perhaps we should call it the March equinox…

 

[thatsamore]

Thank you, you have been most helpful!

 

[Sir_Knight]

shayward:

Funnily enough, neither name makes much sense if you live in the southern hemisphere as it certainly isn’t springtime in Australia in March!!

That’s why “Vernal” equinox flows better ESPECIALLY if you don’t know what it means – follow the following conversation with somebody down under …

Vernal equinox = equinox in March = Ahhhhh!

Vernal equinox = spring equinox in March = Huhhh? March is the start of Fall. How can that be the spring equinox?

… See? Using “Vernal” equinox can help avoid some confusion.

 

[porthos11]

Sir Knight:

That’s why “Vernal” equinox flows better ESPECIALLY if you don’t know what it means – follow the following conversation with somebody down under …

Vernal equinox = equinox in March = Ahhhhh!

Vernal equinox = spring equinox in March = Huhhh? March is the start of Fall. How can that be the spring equinox?

… See? Using “Vernal” equinox can help avoid some confusion.

Heh heh. Can’t resist…

In which case, what do we call the Autumnal Equinox in September in Australia?

 

[Timidity]

Sir Knight:

The “spring” equinox is referred to as the “Vernal” equinox.

Does that mean the one in September is the Mortal Equinox?

Oh, wait, you said “Vernal”, not “Venial”

Sorry.

 

[Sir_Knight]

porthos11:

In which case, what do we call the Autumnal Equinox in September in Australia?

Beats me. I don’t make this stuff up … I’m just trying to make sense of it.

 

[tom.wineman]

Have you read what the Catholic Encyclopedia has to say about it ?

[newadvent.org/cathen/05224d.htm](http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05224d.htm)

 

[RedDeathsMask]

Sir Knight:

That’s why “Vernal” equinox flows better ESPECIALLY if you don’t know what it means – follow the following conversation with somebody down under …

Vernal equinox = equinox in March = Ahhhhh!

Vernal equinox = spring equinox in March = Huhhh? March is the start of Fall. How can that be the spring equinox?

… See? Using “Vernal” equinox can help avoid some confusion.

This sort of mentatlity reminds me of the user, “DominvsVobiscvm” who got banned back in December…

 

[Sir_Knight]

Why did he get banned?

 

[RedDeathsMask]

It was between his superior attitude and that he posted links to Sedevacantism sites.