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When is Easter 2014? Why does Easter change every year? Who decides when Easter is?

The Easter story is at the very heart of the Christian calendar, with celebrations taking place around the world to mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ

PA Wire Easter eggs
Easter eggs

Easter eggs and bunnies have become a symbol of the holiday and it wouldn't be Easter without indulging on chocolate, with supermarkets brimming with sweet treats already.

But Easter Sunday falls on different dates annually, and it's set to be later in the year for 2014.

So when is Easter 2014?

Easter Sunday falls on April 20 this year. The long bank holiday weekend begins on Good Friday, April 18, and Easter Monday on April 21 is the final day in the bank holiday festivities.

In western Christianity, Easter always falls between March 22 and April 25.

Why does Easter change every year?

While many festivals are on fixed days, Easter is a movable feast and is usually celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon on or after March 21, because it is based on the lunar calendar.

Who decides when Easter is?




This was because Easter must fall on a Sunday as it was the day of Christ’s resurrection.

The paschal full moon was chosen because the date of Passover in the Jewish calenda, and the Last Supper (Holy Thursday) occurred on the Passover. Therefore, Easter is the Sunday after Passover.


Even though the spring equinox can occur on March 20, the church also fixes the spring equinox as March 21.

When do the schools break up for Easter?

Spring term ends on April 11 and schools then go back on April 28, meaning the Easter weekend falls in the middle of the two-week holiday. Unusually, this year most of the rest of the country breaks up from April 4, meaning they get two weeks holiday before the Easter weekend.


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