1. What is Orthodox Easter?

Orthodox Easter is the most important religious feast in the Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition. It's calculated using the Julian calendar (adjusted for the Gregorian calendar difference) and often falls on a different date than Western Easter.

2. How is Orthodox Easter Calculated?

The calculator uses the Julian calendar calculation adjusted by 13 days for the Gregorian calendar:

Where:

• Julian Date — Calculated using the Metonic cycle
• Gregorian Difference — Currently 13 days (will be 14 days from 2100)

Explanation: The calculation follows the First Council of Nicaea (325 AD) rules but uses the older Julian calendar.

3. Difference from Western Easter

Details: Western Christianity uses the Gregorian calendar and different astronomical calculations, resulting in different dates most years.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter any year between 1583 and 9999 to calculate the Orthodox Easter date in the Gregorian calendar.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why does Orthodox Easter sometimes coincide with Western Easter?
A: When the full moon falls in a specific period, both calculations may arrive at the same date.

Q2: When will the difference become 14 days?
A: In 2100, the Gregorian calendar will skip a leap day, increasing the difference to 14 days.

Q3: Which countries celebrate Orthodox Easter?
A: Mainly Eastern European countries like Greece, Russia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, etc.

Q4: Why does the date vary so much?
A: The calculation depends on the first full moon after the vernal equinox, which can vary by up to a month.

Q5: What's the earliest and latest possible date?
A: In the Gregorian calendar, Orthodox Easter can fall between April 4 and May 8.