Easter Recipes

Easter Recipes


Make these tasty Easter treats for your Easter feast!

Easter Ham
Raspberry Sherbert
Bunny Cookies
Green Coconut Nests
Fruit and Nut Easter Eggs
Rabbit Cake
World's Best Chocolate Easter Eggs
Easter Egg Salad
Easter Egg Sandwiches

Easter Ham
What would Easter dinner be without ham? This type of pork is popular throughout the world. The custom of serving ham at Easter goes back as far as William the Conquerer, who served it along with such things as gammon and tansy pudding. Some believe that ham became traditional because the pig is a symbol of prosperity in many cultures. Schwean haben, a popular German expression, literally means to "have a pig." At one time it was fashionable to wear little figures of pigs on watch chains and charm bracelets. Piggy banks for children may also be an expression of this age-old idea. You will need: ·1 7 to 8 pound fully cooked smoked ham shank ·1 cup maple syrup ·2 Tablespoons cider vinegar ·1 Tablespoon prepared mustard ·whole cloves How to Make Your Easter Ham Combine syrup, vinegar and mustard. Place ham, fat side up, on rack in shallow roasting pan. Pour about 1/2 cup mixture over ham and bake, uncovered, in a preheated 325 degree oven for 1-1/2 hours. Baste every 30 minutes with additional sauce. Remove ham from oven and score fat into diamond shapes. Insert a clove into each diamond. Bake ham an additional 30 minutes or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of meat registers 140 degrees. Let ham rest 15 minutes before carving. Makes 10 to 12 servings.
Raspberry Sherbert
This easy sherbert is great served with the bunny cookies (see below). You will need: ·1 bag (12 ounces) frozen dry-pack raspberries, thawed. ·1 cup low-fat buttermilk ·2/3 cup sugar How to Make Your Raspberry Sherbert Combine raspberries, buttermilk and sugar in blender. Whirl until smooth. Strain through sieve to remove seeds. Freeze in ice-cream maker according to manufacturer's directions. To freeze by hand, place puree in 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish. Freeze. Scrape into food processor. Whirl, scraping down side of work bowl as needed, until smooth. Serve immediately. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a few fresh raspberries if desired (Optional).
Bunny CookiesUse your favorite bunny cookie cutter to make these charming cookies, or use the pattern you cut out of cardboard. You will need: ·3 cups all purpose flour ·2 teaspoons baking soda ·1-1/2 teaspoons ground ginger ·1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon ·1/2 teaspoon ground cloves ·1/4 teaspoon salt ·1/2 cup solid vegetable shortening ·1/2 cup sugar ·1 egg ·1/2 cup molasses ·1-1/2 teaspoons cider vinegar How to Make Your Bunny Cookies Step 1 Sift together flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and salt onto waxed paper. Step 2 Beat together shortening, sugar and egg in large bowl with electric mixer until fluffy, for about 3 minutes. Beat in the molasses and cider vinegar. Stir in flour mixture until blended and smooth. Gather dough into ball; wrap and chill for several hours. Step 3 Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Divide dough in half. Roll out half of the dough with lightly floured surface to generous 1/8-inch thickness. Keep remainder of dough refrigerated while working with first half. Step 4 To use a bunny pattern, draw a pattern onto a piece of cardboard. Make sure ears are attached to the head. Cut out pattern. Place pattern on dough and trace with a toothpick. Cut out cookies. Place 1 inch apart on lightly greased baking sheets. Reroll scraps, using up all the dough. Repeat with remaining dough. Step 5 Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 5-7 minutes or until firm. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Step 6 If you wish to decorate cookies, prepare Decorator Icing, tinting portions if you wish. Decorate cookies as desired. Let cookies stand until icing is firm. Store in airtight container between sheets of waxed paper for up to 2 weeks. Decorator Icing Prepare one recipe Royal Icing, using packaged meringue powder and following the directions on the package. Dried meringue powder is best for uncooked frostings due to the increased concern about the presence of salmonella bacteria in raw eggs. Meringue powder is available in stores where decorating and baking supplies are sold.
Green Coconut NestsGreen Coconut Nests are a fun and easy Easter treat to make! You will need: ·1 pound green chocolate coating ·1 7 oz. package flaked or shredded coconut How to Make Your Green Coconut Nests. In the top of a double boiler, melt coating over hot, not boiling, water. Add coconut and mix together well. Add very small amounts of water to coconut mixture until it thickens enough to hold shapes. Form into small nests by making mounds and then hollowing them out with the bowl of a spoon. Fill nests with jelly beans or molded chocolates. Makes 8 nests.
Fruit and Nut Easter EggsThese can be made long before needed. Their flavor improves as they ripen. You will need: ·2-1/4 cups sugar ·1 cup light corn syrup ·3/4 cup hot water ·1/2 lb. marshmallow creme ·1/2 cup shortening, melted ·1/4 cup confectioners' sugar ·2 cups candied fruit (cherries and pineapple) ·Nuts ·Dipping chocolate How to Make Your Fruit and Nut Easter Eggs. In a saucepan, cook sugar, syrup, and water to 265 degrees. Add marshmallow creme and beat until almost firm. Add melted shortening, confectioners' sugar, candied fruit, and nuts. Mix well, shape eggs by hand and dip in the chocolate. The eggs will keep 6 to 8 months. Makes 10 eggs.
Rabbit CakeUtensils: flour sifter, rubber spatula, measuring spoons, two 8-inch round cake pan, measuring cups electric mixer and bowl, serrated knifeThe Cake2 cups all-purpose flour1/2 cup shortening1-1/2 cups sugar1 cup milk3-1/2 teaspoons baking powder1-1/4 teaspoons vanilla1 teaspoon salt3 eggs1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.2. Grease and flour the cake pans (rub bottom of pan with butter or shortening, then sprinkle flour in the pan; tap the pan until flour spreads and covers pan bottom)3. Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into the electric mixer bowl.4. Add the shortening, milk, vanilla, and eggs. Mix on low speed for one minute.5. Scrape the sides of the bowl, then turn mixer to high speed. Beat for 3 minutes.6. Pour into pans and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the cake center comes out clean (not sticky!).7. Cool in pans for 10 minutes, then turn cake layers onto a wire rack (you might need help with this step).Cream Cheese Frosting1 3-ounce package cream cheese, softenedDash salt1 tablespoon milk2-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar1 teaspoon vanilla1. Place the cream cheese, milk, vanilla, and salt in the electric mixer bowl. Mix on medium speed until well blended.2. Gradually add sugar, beating at medium to high speed until the frosting is smooth and will spread easily. If necessary, add more milk.3. Cut the cooled cake and arrange as shown in the drawing. One layer is left intact, and the other is cut to form the bunny's ears and bow tie. Spread the frosting between the head, ear, and bow tie pieces, then over top and sides.4. Add jelly beans for the bunny's eyes, strips of licorice for whiskers. You could also cover the rabbit with coconut for a very special Easter dessert!
World's Best Chocolate Easter EggsThese delicious cream filled eggs taste just like a very famous store bought one. They are easy to make and kids and adults love them.Ingredients:1 cup soft butter 2 tsp salt 4 tsp vanilla 1 can condensed milk (Eagle Brand) 10 cups icing sugar 1 tsp. yellow food coloring 1 lb. semi-sweet chocolateMethod:Beat butter, salt and vanilla until fluffy. Add milk, beat in sugar. Blend until stiff. Dust with brown sugar. Knead til smooth.Set aside more then 2/3 of mixture. To the remaining mixture add yellow food coloring. Blend in well. Divde yellow and white into 16 or 24 pieces. Shape yellow into ball, mold white around yellow to form an egg shape. Dry at room temperature on paper towels for 24 hours.Melt chocolate in double boiler or in microwave until smooth. Dip eggs in chocolate. (parafin wax may be added and melted with chocolate to prevent chocolate from melting in your hands). Once dipped cool at room temperature. Refrigerate after cool.When sliced these eggs will have a white cream filling with a yellow filling that appears to be the yolk. They look nice sitting in an Easter basket!!
Easter Egg SaladUtensils: small bowl, measuring spoons and cups, spoon or fork for mixing, serrated knife1 3-oz. package of gelatin-- any flavor1 teaspoon lemon juice1/2 cup finely chopped celery and carrots12 egg shellsLettuceMayonnaiseMix gelatin in bowl according to package instructions. Add the lemon juice and vegetables; stir.Using raw eggs, break the shells very carefully, so that just the tip of the shell is broken when the egg is removed. Dry the shells, then pour the fruit salad into the opening. Cover the hole with cellophane or adhesive tape, and set into custard or muffin cups. Chill until the gelatin is firm (overnight if possible). Then break away the egg shell, place on lettuce, and top with mayonnaise.
Easter Egg SandwichesUtensils: small bowl, measuring spoons and cups, spoon or fork for mixing, serrated knife6 hard-cooked eggs, peeled and chopped1/2 cup finely chopped celery1/4 cup chopped green pepper (optional)2 tablespoons finely chopped green onion1/3 cup mayonnaise1/4 teaspoon saltA dash of pepperMix all ingredients and spread on bread; makes 6 sandwiches.

Calendar & Easter History

Calendar & Easter History

The calendar has an interesting history, and has been shaped by both political ideals and a quest for greater accuracy. Recorded history is not precise on all dating methods in use, let alone the exact dates that every change occurred, but I have pieced together an account of many key events. The method for calculating Easter date also mirrors calendar changes, so I have included that also. Many thanks must go to Ron Mallen for his tireless, meticulous and scientific process in researching this history.
There is a chart below that graphically shows the key events shaping the calendar. This history starts on the "Kalends of March" or March 1st with the introduction of the Roman calendar in the year 1 AUC (AUC stands for Ab Urbe Condita, meaning "from the foundation of Rome"). 1 AUC is the same as 753 BC in the Julian calendar. The Roman AUC calendar was enforced (with capital punishment for non-compliance) throughout the powerful Roman Empire of the time.
It started as a year of 10 lunar months, and soon changed to a lunar year of 12 months. Other enhancements were made to change to solar years, with patchy attempts to add additional days to maintain alignment of seasons.
The Julian calendar was introduced in 709 AUC (or 45 BC) and was quite similar to our current Gregorian calendar. It had 12 months, and attempted to measure solar years by using occasional 366-day years.
Of course, at the time of Jesus' life, years were not called BC and AD; Roman AUC years were used. It was not until 532 AD that the Pope, with significant influence, replaced Julian AUC years with Julian AD years.
It is a common mis-conception that AD years were set so that Jesus was born in 1 AD. This is not correct. 1 AD was set to meet two criteria:
Jesus had to have been alive on January 1st, 1 AD
Every AD year evenly divisible by 4 was to be a 366-day year
With recorded history at the time (in 532 AD), it was known that Jesus was alive on January 1st, 3BC. So 1 AD was set to the next year that allowed 366-day years to occur in AD years exactly divisible by 4. It is now apparent that Christ was born during 5 BC, and was therefore alive on January 1st, 4 BC, but this was not certain in 532 AD.
Even though 366-day years were nominally set to occur in 4 AD and every 4th year afterwards, it happened that the 366-day year was skipped in 4 AD as the final adjustment for having too many 366-days in previous years. So 366-day years resumed in 8 AD and every 4 years thereafter.
The Gregorian calendar was introduced over a period of many years. Italy was the first to use it in 1582, while Greece introduced it in 1923! This calendar corrects accumulated inaccuracies with the Julian calendar by have slightly less leap years. We still have leap years every 4 years except that century years (ending with "00") are leap years if they're evenly divisible by 400. This means that only 1 in 4 century years is a leap year (ie 1600, 2000, 2400, etc). This calendar is so accurate that a further adjustment will not be required until 4100 or soon after.

Here are some clarifications to common misconceptions about calendars:
The Julian calendar started in 45 BC (not 46 BC)
Augustus Caesar corrected various calendar anomolies in 8 BC (not 8 AD)
Jesus Christ was born in 5 BC (not 1 AD)
Bissextile years had two Feb 24ths (not Feb 23rds)
Jesus Christ was crucified in 30 AD (not 33 AD) Years before 28 AD and after 32 AD can be shown to be historically impossible, and recent astronomical knowledge eliminates years 28, 29, 31 and 32 AD.

The calendar as we know it has evolved from a Roman calendar established by Romulus, consisting of a year of 304 days divided into 10 months, commencing with March. This was modified by Numa, who added two extra months, January and February, making a year consist of 12 months of 30 and 29 days alternately plus one extra day and thus a year of 355 days. This calendar required the use of an Intercalary month of 22 or 23 days in alternate years.
In the year 46 B.C. Julius Caesar asked for the help of the Egyptian astronomer Sosigenes, as he had found that the calendar had fallen into some confusion. This led to the adoption of the Julian calendar in 45 B.C. In fact, the year 46 B.C. was made to consist of 445 days to adjust for earlier faults and is known as the "Year of Confusion".
In the Christian system, years are distinguished by numbers before or after the Incarnation, being denoted by the letters B.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini). The starting point is the Jewish calendar year 3761 A.M. (Annus Mundi) and the 754th year from the foundation of Rome. This system is said to have been introduced into England by St. Augustine about 596 A.D. but was not in general use until ordered by the bishops at the council of Chelsea in 816 A.D.
In the Julian calendar all centennial years were leap years (ie the years A.D. 1200, 1300, 1400 etc.) and for this reason towards the end of the 16th century there were found to be a difference of 10 days between the Tropical and calendar years. This was corrected in 1582 when Pope Gregory ordained that October 4th would be followed by October 15th, making the 10 day correction, and that only every fourth centennial year should be a Leap Year. This is known as the Gregorian calendar and is the one we now use.
It was adopted by Italy, France and Portugal in 1582 and other countries made the correction at various dates up to as recently as 1923. The change from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar took place in England and her dominions in 1752, when the correction was made by the omission of eleven days; Wednesday, September 2nd being followed by Thursday, September 14th.
The Julian and Gregorian calendars are sometimes referred to as the Old Style and New Style calendars. It is interesting to note that these terms originally applied to the date of the beginning of the year (New Year's Day). In the Old Style this was March 25th and was changed to January 1st (New Style) in England in 1752 when changing from the Julian to Gregorian calendar. New year's day was changed to January 1st in Scotland in 1600.
The Equinoctial or Tropical Year is the time that the Earth takes to revolve around the Sun from one Spring Equinox to another. This is approximately 365.24219 mean solar days, or 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and just over 45 seconds. The Equinox is the point where the Sun crosses the Equator making day and night equal.
The Calendar Year is 365 days except if the year number is divisible by four evenly, this being a Leap year of 366 days. The last year of a century is not a leap year unless its number is evenly divisible by 400. For example, 1800 and 1900 were not Leap Years, while 2000 is a Leap Year.

Easter Dating

Easter Dating

There are three possible Easter dates depending upon the year and your cultural/religious persuasion. Most Easter information elsewhere on the Web is written with the author's own circumstances foremost. This article gives just the alternatives.
Definition of Easter Sunday DateEaster Sunday is the Sunday following the Paschal Full Moon (PFM) date for the year. In June 325 A.D. astronomers approximated astronomical full moon dates for the Christian church, calling them Ecclesiastical Full Moon (EFM) dates. From 326 A.D. the PFM date has always been the EFM date after March 20 (which was the equinox date in 325 A.D.).

Sadly, many definitions of Easter on the Internet and in Encyclopaedias and Almanacs are misleading, ambiguous and just plain wrong! This is obvious with the application of plain commonsense. A typical wrong definition is:
This is wrong!Easter Sunday is the Sunday following the full moon after the Vernal Equinox.
Vernal means spring, and countries in the Southern hemisphere have opposite seasons to those in the Northern hemisphere. Of course, Easter is not celebrated in September in the southern hemisphere! Most astonomers interpret "Vernal Equinox" to mean the March Equinox, but even that is equally wrong in this definition, but for different reasons (see below).
Also, I think that almost everyone reading this would assume that "full moon" refers to an astronomical full moon date.? An astronomical full moon (AFM) occurs at one instant in time, and therefore occurs on 2 dates around the world (consider countries either side of the international dateline!). Again, countries do not celebrate different Easter dates based upon their own full moon dates!
And it gets worse!Other definitions incorrectly refer to March 21st. This usually arises because Easter is the Sunday after the first EFM date after March 20. There are two "afters" here, so the earliest possible Easter is March 22.
Some people have tried to simplify this concept by removing one "after" and changing the date to March 21, so it reads "the full moon after March 21". This logic is seriously flawed!
It is further compounded with phrases like "from March 21". This is unclear whether it means "from and including March 21" or "after March 21". One bizarre encyclopaedia definition gets it so wrong that it concludes that Easter Sunday can never fall on March 22! Absolute rubbish!
How are full moons related to Easter?Astronomical Full Moons dates are not directly related to Easter dates. Easter is based upon Paschal Full Moon (PFM) dates, and each PFM is the particular Ecclesiastical Full Moon (EFM) date after March 20. EFM dates are approximated astronomical full moon dates, and are surprisingly accurate when you consider how long ago they were forecast.
PFM dates are found in a table (see above). There is a table of 19 dates for the Julian calendar, and several 19-dates tables for the Gregorian calendar.
From 1583, Astronomical and Paschal full moon dates never differ by more than 3 dates, even taking into account the 2-date AFMs (see above). For example, an April 11 Easter Sunday could result from:
A Sunday April 4 PFM, with the nearest astronomical full moon as early as April 1 & April 2. (April 1 just East of the International Date Line, and April 2 on the Western side)
A Saturday April 10 PFM, with the nearest astronomical full moon as late as April 12 & April 13.
For most Easter Sundays, the nearest astronomical full moon date can be anything from 10 days earlier (over a week before) to 2 days later (on the Tuesday after Easter).
How is the equinox related to Easter?The equinox is not related to Easter! March 20 is the critical date for determining all Easters, and March 20 was the equinox date in 325 AD when the definition of Easter date was agreed. In our current Gregorian calendar, the March Equinox is one of 5 dates from March 18 to 22.
What can I do when I see a wrong definition?Please ask to have it corrected! Usually you will be able to find an email address (or an editor if it's a publication). Please write, and ask them to correct their definition to:
This is right!Easter Sunday is the Sunday following the Paschal Full Moon (PFM) date for the year. In June 325 A.D. astronomers approximated astronomical full moon dates for the Christian church, calling them Ecclesiastical Full Moon (EFM) dates. From 326 A.D. the PFM date has always been the EFM date after March 20 (which was the equinox date in 325 A.D.).
Alternatively, you can refer them to this webpage, or to the most authoritative article on Easter dating I have seen at the Astronomical Society of SA for a complete explanation. This definition is correct, and can be easily proved by checking historic Christian definitions and Easter Sunday dates. Further, this definition is accurate for each of the 3 different implementations of Easter Sunday:
From 326 AD in the Julian calendar (no longer used)
From 1583 AD or later in the Julian calendar, converted to the Gregorian calendar (eg Orthodox Christian churches)
From 1583 AD or later with PFM dates revised for the Gregorian calendar (eg Western cultures, also used for public holidays)
To Summarise ...
Easter Sunday date is the Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon (PFM) date
The PFM is the first Ecclesiastical Full Moon (EFM) date after March 20
PFMs are pre-defined (see above)
EFMs are approximated astronomical full moon dates, not actual astronomical full moon dates Some related facts ...
The PFM date is an EFM date that estimates an astronomical full moon date. PFM dates in our Gregorian calendar always occurs within 3 dates, before or after an astronomical full moon date.
Therefore, Easter Sunday occurs around the time of an astronomical full moon, but the astronomical full moon has nothing to do with determining Easter Sunday date.
Because the Gregorian March Equinox date is one of 5 dates from March 18 to 22, and Easter Sunday dates range from March 22 to April 25, Easter sometimes occurs around the time of the March equinox. But again, the March Equinox has nothing to do with determining Easter Sunday date.
Almost exactly half of Western Easter Sunday dates occur on the same date 11 years later (but never more than 4 in a row).

The Gregorian calendar has gradually replaced the Julian calendar over a period of a few hundred years from October 1582 to re-align dates with the changing motions of the earth and moon in relation to the sun.
Many Christians of Western denominations have adopted a revised Easter Sunday calculation based upon the Gregorian calendar, which more closely aligns PFM dates with astronomical full moon dates. This revised calculation has often been used from the commencement of the Gregorian calendar. In other cases it has been applied at a later date, or not at all (eg Orthodox churches).
1583 was the first year Easter occurred with the revised calculation in the new Gregorian calendar. Devised predominantly by Lilius and Clavius, they were introduced in October 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII.
1753 was the first year Britain and its colonies (at that time) used both the Gregorian calendar and the revised calculation for Easter.
Here's a page showing history of the major events that shaped the calendar and Easter dating methods.

The Three Calculations

METHOD 1 - The original calculation based on the Julian calendar
METHOD 2 - The original calculation, with the Julian date converted to the equivalent Gregorian date
METHOD 3 - The revised calculation based on the Gregorian calendar
The Gregorian calendar has gradually been adopted world wide from October 1582. The last known use of the Julian calendar was by Greece in 1923, so method 1 applies only historically.
Either at the time of their calendar change or at a later date, some (but not all) regions have used the revised Easter date calculation based on the Gregorian calendar. The current Gregorian calendar is valid until at least 4099 AD.
At the adoption of the Gregorian calendar, most Western churches moved from method 1 to method 3, while Orthodox churches moved from method 1 to method 2.
A Country Guide
Here is a guide on which method to use. It is important to check the history of the region in question to find the correct date of their change from Julian to Gregorian calendar, and if applicable, their change from the original to the revised Easter Sunday date calculation.
When you know which method to use, click this link for an algorithm to calculate any Easter date
AustraliaHas used the Gregorian calendar since settlement. Western churches & public holidays use method 3. Orthodox churches use method 2.
EuropeFor years 326 to 1582, use method 1. What was then Italy changed calendar AND calculation method in October 1582, so for years 1583 to 4099, use method 3. Most mainland European regions had converted to the Gregorian calendar by 1700.
EnglandFor years 326 to 1752, use method 1. Adopted the Gregorian calendar in September 1752. Use method 3 for Western churches for years 1753 to 4099. Use method 2 for Orthodox churches for years 1753 to 4099.
Northern AmericaUse method 1 from 326 AD until changes as follows:Regions of Northern America under French influence adopted the Gregorian calendar in October 1582, while regions under British influence adopted both the new calendar and revised calculation from September 1752. Use method 2 for Orthodox churches after the adoption of the Gregorian calendar. Use method 3 for Western churches after the adoption of the Gregorian calendar.

Easter Sunday Dates

Easter Sunday Dates

Here is a list of Easter Sunday dates from 1950 to 2050. Below the list is an Easter Sunday date calculator for any year from 326 to 4099!
Western Easters are the basis of public holidays, and are the dates celebrated by Western religions. The Orthodox dates below are based on the original calculation using the Julian calendar, converted to the equivalent date in the Gregorian calendar now in use.
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WESTERN ORTHODOX
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15 April 1990 15 April 1990
31 March 1991 7 April 1991
19 April 1992 26 April 1992
11 April 1993 18 April 1993
3 April 1994 1 May 1994
16 April 1995 23 April 1995
7 April 1996 14 April 1996
30 March 1997 27 April 1997
12 April 1998 19 April 1998
4 April 1999 11 April 1999
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WESTERN ORTHODOX
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23 April 2000 30 April 2000
15 April 2001 15 April 2001
31 March 2002 5 May 2002
20 April 2003 27 April 2003
11 April 2004 11 April 2004
27 March 2005 1 May 2005
16 April 2006 23 April 2006
8 April 2007 8 April 2007
23 March 2008 27 April 2008
12 April 2009 19 April 2009
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WESTERN ORTHODOX
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4 April 2010 4 April 2010
24 April 2011 24 April 2011
8 April 2012 15 April 2012
31 March 2013 5 May 2013
20 April 2014 20 April 2014
5 April 2015 12 April 2015
27 March 2016 1 May 2016
16 April 2017 16 April 2017
1 April 2018 8 April 2018
21 April 2019 28 April 2019
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WESTERN ORTHODOX
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12 April 2020 19 April 2020
4 April 2021 2 May 2021
17 April 2022 24 April 2022
9 April 2023 16 April 2023
31 March 2024 5 May 2024
20 April 2025 20 April 2025
5 April 2026 12 April 2026
28 March 2027 2 May 2027
16 April 2028 16 April 2028
1 April 2029 8 April 2029
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WESTERN ORTHODOX
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21 April 2030 28 April 2030
13 April 2031 13 April 2031
28 March 2032 2 May 2032
17 April 2033 24 April 2033
9 April 2034 9 April 2034
25 March 2035 29 April 2035
13 April 2036 20 April 2036
5 April 2037 5 April 2037
25 April 2038 25 April 2038
10 April 2039 17 April 2039
~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~
WESTERN ORTHODOX
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1 April 2040 6 May 2040
21 April 2041 21 April 2041
6 April 2042 13 April 2042
29 March 2043 3 May 2043
17 April 2044 24 April 2044
9 April 2045 9 April 2045
25 March 2046 29 April 2046
14 April 2047 21 April 2047
5 April 2048 5 April 2048
18 April 2049 25 April 2049
10 April 2050 17 April 2050

When is Easter?

Calculator for Easter Sunday

Easter 2006
Ash Wednesday is 01 March
Palm Sunday is 9 April
Good Friday is 14 April
(Western) Easter Sunday is 16 April
(Orthodox) Easter Sunday is 23 April

Easter 2007
Ash Wednesday is 21 February
Palm Sunday is 01 April
Good Friday is 06 April
(Western) Easter Sunday is 08 April
(Orthodox) Easter Sunday is 08 April

Easter 2008
Ash Wednesday is 6 February
Palm Sunday is 16 March
Good Friday is 21 March
(Western) Easter Sunday is 23 March
(Orthodox) Easter Sunday is 27 April

Easter 2009
Ash Wednesday is 25 February
Palm Sunday is 5 April
Good Friday is 10 April
(Western) Easter Sunday is 12 April
(Orthodox) Easter Sunday is 19 April

Easter 2010
Ash Wednesday is 17 February
Palm Sunday is 28 March
Good Friday is 02 April
(Western) Easter Sunday is 04 April
(Orthodox) Easter Sunday is 04 April

HAPPY EASTER

Hoppy Easter

Welcome to a Holiday Celebration

Easter is a time of springtime festivals. In Christian countries Easter is celebrated as the religious holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the son of God. But the celebrations of Easter have many customs and legends that are pagan in origin and have nothing to do with Christianity
Scholars, accepting the derivation proposed by the 8th-century English scholar St. Bede, believe the name Easter is thought to come from the Scandinavian "Ostra" and the Teutonic "Ostern" or "Eastre," both Goddesses of mythology signifying spring and fertility whose festival was celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox

Traditions associated with the festival survive in the Easter rabbit, a symbol of fertility, and in colored easter eggs, originally painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring, and used in Easter-egg rolling contests or given as gifts
The Christian celebration of Easter embodies a number of converging traditions with emphasis on the relation of Easter to the Jewish festival of Passover, or Pesach, from which is derived Pasch, another name used by Europeans for Easter. Passover is an important feast in the Jewish calendar which is celebrated for 8 days and commemorates the flight and freedom of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt
The early Christians, many of whom were of Jewish origin, were brought up in the Hebrew tradition and regarded Easter as a new feature of the Passover festival, a commemoration of the advent of the Messiah as foretold by the prophets.
Easter is observed by the churches of the West on the first Sunday following the full moon that occurs on or following the spring equinox (March 2I). So Easter became a "movable" feast which can occur as early as March 22 or as late as April 25
Christian churches in the East which were closer to the birthplace of the new religion and in which old traditions were strong, observe Easter according to the date of the Passover festival
Easter is at the end of the Lenten season, which covers a forty-six-day period that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends with Easter. The Lenten season itself comprises forty days, as the six Sundays in Lent are not actually a part of Lent. Sundays are considered a commemoration of Easter Sunday and have always been excluded from the Lenten fast. The Lenten season is a period of penitence in preparation for the highest festival of the church year, Easter
Holy Week, the last week of Lent, begins its with the observance of Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday takes its name from Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem where the crowds laid palms at his feet. Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper, which was held the evening before the Crucifixion. Friday in Holy Week is the anniversary of the Crufixion, the day that Christ was crucified and died on the cross
Holy week and the Lenten season end with Easter Sunday, the day of resurrection of Jesus Christ