AKRON, Ohio — As Easter approaches, Christians around the world prepare to celebrate one of their most significant feast days. This year, Easter Sunday falls on April 20, 2025, compared to last year’s date, making it three weeks later.
Easter, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion, is a moveable feast. Its date changes yearly depending on a complex calculation involving the lunar and solar cycles. According to Church tradition, Easter is determined by the first Sunday following the first full moon on or after the spring equinox, which is set at March 21. Hence, Easter can occur between March 22 and April 25.
Good Friday will be observed on April 18, 2025, while Easter Monday follows on April 21. Many parts of the world recognize Easter as a public holiday, but it remains a normal working day in the United States, aside from some businesses choosing to close and the US stock market being shut down for Good Friday trading.
The method for determining Easter’s date was set by the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. This decision highlighted that neither the spring equinox nor the Paschal Moon used for these calculations correspond to the actual astronomical events, leading to some explanation about the discrepancies in dates.
Those observing Easter must also understand that most Orthodox Christians use the Julian calendar instead of the Gregorian calendar, which differs by 13 days. Consequently, when Easter is celebrated on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25 in the Western church, those same dates fall around April 3 and May 10 in the Eastern Orthodox church. The next time both Easters coincide is expected to be April 5, 2026.
Easter’s significance lies in its commemoration of the fulfillment of prophecies in Christianity, representing hope and the promise of eternal life. As the holiday approaches, many Christians engage in various traditions, such as Lent, a period of fasting and self-reflection.
“During Lent, we prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter and the profound meaning of Jesus’ resurrection,” Pastor Tony Okoye of Akron Baptist Church said. “It’s a time to come together as a community and deepen our faith.”n
As families and friends gather to celebrate, Easter also includes traditions like egg hunts and special meals, merging both religious and cultural observances. The joy of Easter spreads across communities as they come together in celebration of newfound life and resurrection.
For many, the day is about both spiritual renewal and cherished moments with loved ones. Whether it’s attending church services or hunting for eggs left by the Easter bunny, the core of the celebration lies in the message of love, hope, and redemption.
