Scrap Quilter living near Washington DC with a cat a husband & a Little Boy!
Friday, March 21, 2008
The Calendar
The Jewish Calendar is Lunar & we have a leap month (We are in the leap month right now) Adar II. This keeps Purim & Passover in the Spring. Happy Purim by the way... (We started celebrating Purim last night by reading the Book of Esther, eating Hamantashen, dressing in costumes, etc.)
Meanwhile Christmas is always on December 25. So can anyone tell me why Easter is so early this year? Oh & while we are at it why is the Greek Easter a week later?
More info on Easter dates: The civil date of Easter depends upon which tables - Gregorian or pre-Gregorian - are used. The western (Roman Catholic and Protestant) Christian churches use the Gregorian tables; many eastern (Orthodox) Christian churches use the older tables based on the Julian Calendar. http://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/docs/easter.php
Looks like others have already answered, maybe I'll add something here... We talked about this at dinner last night!
Western Easter falls between March 22 and April 25, first Sunday after the first full moon after the Equinox.
Orthodox Easter works the same way, but falls between April 4 and May 8, because it's based on the Gregorian Calendar. It can be on the same day (as in 2004 and 2007) or a week apart (as in 2006) or much later like this year (March 23 - April 27).
Easter is a moveable feast, Christmas is a fixed feast. No one knows for sure why it's December 25th. Early references come from the AD 200s. Many believe the timing coincided with pre-Christian festivals. It's also nine months after the spring equinox - traditionally believed to be when Jesus was conceived (and died).
Next time (western) Easter will be this early, I'll be 184 years old and the last time it was on 23.3 was in 1913!
Well, now we both know! How are you? Guess what, have a lok at my blog, there is (finally) a surprise for you!! Hope you like it, but I think it has found some possible homes if you don't!!! Lol Tracey
Hope you had a happy Purim! Unfortunately I wasn't feeling well enough to get some hamanatshen. I guess that one of these days I'll have to get a recipe and make some myself. :-)
Fascinating comments. I've been researching Easter dates because my Mom and youngest daughter were each born on Easter. One on April 4 and Shay Babe on March 26, and we thought that was early. I was happy to add these comments to my other info, which I'm going to send to my daughter. I love the story of Esther!
16 comments:
Easter is based on the first Sunday after the full moon that follows the vernal equinox. This is the 2nd earliest date it can fall on.
Joining you in the hamantashen feast. I couldn't resist some in the bakery yesterday. Hope your holiday celebration is sweet.
I love the Book of Esther...it has always been one of my favorites.
Happy Purim!
More info on Easter dates: The civil date of Easter depends upon which tables - Gregorian or pre-Gregorian - are used. The western (Roman Catholic and Protestant) Christian churches use the Gregorian tables; many eastern (Orthodox) Christian churches use the older tables based on the Julian Calendar. http://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/docs/easter.php
Happy Purim. I figure it has to do with the moon, but don't know either. I rely on other people (or a calendar) to tell me when to celebrate stuff.
I agree - it is too early this year... it snuck up on me and I still have to get easter baskets and eggs for my kids...
Happy Purim! Wow...the comments are educational today! Thanks for all the info, folks...
oh PHEW - I'm SO glad I wasn't the only one confused by the early Easter thang...
I have hamentashen bloat, myself. ;)
Looks like others have already answered, maybe I'll add something here... We talked about this at dinner last night!
Western Easter falls between March 22 and April 25, first Sunday after the first full moon after the Equinox.
Orthodox Easter works the same way, but falls between April 4 and May 8, because it's based on the Gregorian Calendar. It can be on the same day (as in 2004 and 2007) or a week apart (as in 2006) or much later like this year (March 23 - April 27).
Easter is a moveable feast, Christmas is a fixed feast. No one knows for sure why it's December 25th. Early references come from the AD 200s. Many believe the timing coincided with pre-Christian festivals. It's also nine months after the spring equinox - traditionally believed to be when Jesus was conceived (and died).
Next time (western) Easter will be this early, I'll be 184 years old and the last time it was on 23.3 was in 1913!
Happy Holidays all!
Wow, what an interesting comment made by hedgehog.
I love the book of Esther, too. What did you dress up as?
Interesting posts about Easter.
Well, now we both know! How are you?
Guess what, have a lok at my blog, there is (finally) a surprise for you!! Hope you like it, but I think it has found some possible homes if you don't!!! Lol Tracey
All you have to do to get comments is to ask a question, ask for an opinion, or have a contest! Great comments...learned a lot.
Hope you have a nice holiday celebration.
Hope you had a happy Purim! Unfortunately I wasn't feeling well enough to get some hamanatshen. I guess that one of these days I'll have to get a recipe and make some myself. :-)
Fascinating comments. I've been researching Easter dates because my Mom and youngest daughter were each born on Easter. One on April 4 and Shay Babe on March 26, and we thought that was early. I was happy to add these comments to my other info, which I'm going to send to my daughter.
I love the story of Esther!
Post a Comment