Easter in 2023 – what date do Orthodox Christians and Catholics celebrate

Easter is one of the most important holidays in the Christian calendar. Bright Resurrection of Christ – this is the full church name of the celebration, which is timed to coincide with the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. In 2023, we celebrate Easter in mid-April according to the Orthodox calendar, while the Catholic world celebrates a week earlier.

Orthodox Easter in 2023

Easter is one of the two main holidays of the year, but unlike Christmas, Easter does not fall on the same date every year. The Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar to determine its holy days, where Easter always falls between April 4 and May 8 each year. In 2023 Orthodox Easter falls on Sunday 16 April.

Preparation for Easter begins with Lent, which lasts 7 weeks. In 2023, it starts on February 27th and ends on April 15th. Fasting is total abstinence from certain foods and drinks for religious and moral reasons. Moreover, Christians must refrain from certain unclean thoughts, lusts, passions, or evil deeds. A bodily fast must be accompanied by a spiritual fast.

Easter covers the seven days that surround the crucifixion of Jesus Christ at Calvary. Each of them has a special meaning. At this time, believers pray intensely, think about the last earthly days of Christ – his suffering before execution and painful death on the cross. This period is known as Holy Week and begins on Palm Sunday, the sixth Sunday of Lent. The last week of Lent is the strictest, it is also the time when you need to prepare for the Easter holiday. On Maundy Thursday, people clean the house, arrange laundry, paint eggs and bake Easter cakes. Traditionally, on this day you have to swim before sunrise. Friday is the most mournful day of Holy Week, any work is prohibited today.

The following dates for Orthodox Easter:

• The date of Orthodox Easter in 2024 is May 5
• The date of Orthodox Easter in 2025 is April 20
• The date of Orthodox Easter in 2026 is April 12
• The date of Orthodox Easter in 2027 is May 2
• The date of Orthodox Easter in 2028 is April 16
• The date of Orthodox Easter in 2029 is April 8
• The date of Orthodox Easter in 2030 is April 28

Catholic Easter 2023

Almost always, Catholics celebrate Easter earlier than the Orthodox because of the difference in dates in the Christian calendar. Although it is the most important Christian holiday, Catholic and Orthodox Easter do not fall on the same day, except in rare cases. Orthodox Christians use the Julian calendar, while Catholics use the Gregorian calendar. The dates of Catholic Easter may fall in March or April, and never in May. Whereas the Orthodox celebrate the resurrection of Christ in April or May, but never in March. In 2023, Easter falls on Sunday April 9th.

The following dates for Catholic Easter:

• Catholic Easter in 2024 – March 31
• Catholic Easter in 2025 – April 20
• Catholic Easter in 2026 – April 5
• Catholic Easter in 2027 – March 28
• Catholic Easter in 2028 – April 16
• Catholic Easter in 2029 – April 1
• Catholic Easter in 2030 – April 21

Do other religions celebrate Easter?

Only Christians consider Easter a religious holiday, and many other cultures and religions mark the beginning of spring with festivities. In Egypt, the spring festival is called Sham el-Nessim. The ancient Egyptians celebrated this day as the beginning of the creation of the world. Among the Iranian and Turkic peoples, the holiday of spring and the beginning of the new year is called Novruz. In the northern part of India and some regions of Pakistan, Basant is celebrated in the spring, symbolizing kite flying and yellow flowers.

Islam marks the beginning of Ramadan in early spring, a month-long period of fasting and prayer. On April 13-14, Hindus and Sikhs celebrate Vaisakhi with colorful events and feasts to mark the beginning of the solar new year. In much of Asia, the birthday of the Buddha, or “Buddha Jayanti”, is celebrated by gathering in temples and lighting lanterns.