With Easter 2024 fast approaching, I thought it would be helpful to put together a quick reference guide covering the key dates and some fascinating background on how these dates are determined. This is for all of you who are looking for a concise yet informative overview.
Easter 2024 Date: Mark your calendars, Easter Sunday falls on March 31, 2024.
Key Dates Leading Up to Easter:
Ash Wednesday: The Lenten season begins on February 14, 2024.
Holy Week: Starts on Palm Sunday, March 24, 2024.
Holy Thursday: Commemorated on March 28, 2024.
Good Friday: Observed on March 29, 2024.
Holy Saturday: March 30, 2024.
The Triduum: These are the three days leading up to Easter Sunday, starting with the evening of Holy Thursday and culminating in the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night.
Post-Easter Dates:
Ascension of Jesus: Celebrated on May 9, 2024.
Pentecost: Falling on May 19, 2024, this marks the end of the Easter season.
How Is the Date of Easter Determined?
Easter's date varies each year. It's calculated as the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon following the vernal equinox. This method, established by the Council of Nicaea in AD 325, aligns Easter with the Jewish Passover based on lunar cycles, as Passover was the time of Christ's Crucifixion and Resurrection.
A Bit of History:
The observance of Easter has evolved significantly since the early days of Christianity. The precise date of Easter was a major point of contention in early Christianity, leading to the establishment of the current method at the Council of Nicaea.
This quick guide should help you keep track of the significant dates in the 2024 liturgical calendar. Whether you're planning community gatherings, personal reflections, or just curious about these dates, I hope this serves as a handy reference.
Stay blessed and keep these dates in mind as we journey through the Lenten and Easter seasons of 2024!
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