What date is Catholic Easter in 2021

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

For Catholics, like for Orthodox Christians, the date of Bright Sunday is not constant and is determined annually according to established rules. You can find out what date will be Catholic Easter in 2021 using a special calendar or calculate it yourself.

How the Easter date is calculated

Easter, both Orthodox and Catholic, is calculated according to the same principle: the bright holiday is celebrated on the first Sunday after the spring full moon (the first full moon after the spring equinox). This rule underlies both Gregorian and Alexandrian Easter.

The difference in dates is explained by the use of different calendars: the Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar, and the date of Easter is calculated according to the Alexandrian Paschalia, while the Catholics follow the Gregorian calendar and use the Paschalia of the same name.

When is Catholic Easter in 2021

The Bible tells us that on this day Mary Magdalene did not find Jesus Christ in the tomb where he was placed after the crucifixion last Friday. And in memory of such a significant event, the believers established a holiday that gives them a special state on these bright days.

Several centuries ago, the date for the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ was calculated according to the uniform Paschal, according to which the Council chose Sunday after the full moon following the day of the vernal equinox, a week after the date of the Jewish Passover.

Until the 16th century, adherents of these two confessions celebrated the great holiday at the same time. Everything changed in 1582, when the Catholic Church switched to the Gregorian calendar, and the Orthodox Church continued to use the old Julian calendar.

Since then, the dates for the celebration of Easter for supporters of both religions began to differ. Sometimes the difference is several days, but it also happens that the gap reaches one and a half months. In 2021, for example, Catholics will celebrate the Resurrection of Christ on April 4, and Orthodox Christians on May 2. Thus, the difference is almost a month.

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Traditions

The celebration of the Resurrection of Christ opens with the Eve of Easter. Before it starts, a special torch candle is lit, called Easter. This blessed fire, symbolizing the light of God, is distributed to the parishioners after the consecration of the Torch, then everyone sings the hymn "May he rejoice" (Exultet).

This is followed by the reading of the twelve prophecies and the rite of blessing the water is performed, after which the believers perform the Procession of the Cross with chants and prayers.

By tradition, parishioners spread the Holy Fire throughout their homes, where candles are lit from it. It is believed that this will help protect the home from evil spirits. Easter water is also considered to have miraculous properties, so it is washed on the face, added to food and sprinkled on the dwelling.

On this day, children and youth go from house to house, chanting the Son of God and congratulating all neighbors on the Resurrection of Christ. Friends and relatives give each other dyes, and godparents present them to their godchildren in exchange for palm branches.

Festive compositions are hung on the facades of houses in the form of wicker baskets filled with Easter eggs and sweets, among which there is always a chocolate bunny.

Compared to Orthodox Easter, Catholics celebrate the Resurrection of Christ in a slightly different way. For example, they use not only colored chicken eggs as the main symbol, but also chocolate ones, which they create themselves or buy in the store.

The dishes on the festive table are also different. It is noteworthy that initially chocolate treats were intended for very young family members, but over time, adults began to give them to each other.

Catholics also have a tradition when parents hide sweets near the crib, and the child, waking up in the morning, finds them, and then his joy knows no bounds.

By the way, the chocolate rabbit is another symbol of Catholic Easter, which Orthodox believers do not have. In ancient times, this animal was considered lunar, and the holiday began after the full moon on Sunday.

Little parishioners believed that this shy animal hides its gifts, which will be revealed only after the arrival of Bright Sunday.

Summarize

1. Catholics, like Orthodox Christians, do not have a constant date for the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ - it changes every year in accordance with Easter.
2. The first Sunday after the spring full moon, according to the Gregorian calendar, falls on April 4 in 2021 - this will be the day of the celebration of Catholic Easter.
3. Holiday traditions of Catholics are somewhat different from Orthodox customs, but there is also a common link - colored eggs, which parishioners present to each other as a symbol of the Resurrection of Christ.