Why Does Orthodox Easter Fall on May 5th?

Discover why Orthodox Easter is celebrated on May 5th, exploring the calendar differences between Eastern Orthodoxy and Western Christianity.

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Orthodox Easter falls on May 5th because the Eastern Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar, not the Gregorian calendar. Easter is determined by the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox. The difference between the two calendars often results in different dates for Easter between Western Christianity and Eastern Orthodoxy.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What is the Julian calendar? The Julian calendar is a timekeeping system introduced by Julius Caesar in 45 BC, which is used by the Eastern Orthodox Church to calculate dates for its religious events.
  2. Why do Western and Eastern Easter dates differ? Western Easter is based on the Gregorian calendar, while Eastern Orthodox Easter uses the Julian calendar, leading to different celebration dates.
  3. How is the date of Easter determined? Easter is calculated as the first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox, which can differ depending on the calendar used.

Watch More

If you're interested in learning more about Easter traditions around the world, check out our videos on Western Christianity's Easter celebrations and the significance of the spring equinox in various cultures.

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