Good Friday and Easter 2025: Dates, History, and Why They Change Every Year

[MysteRy]

Easter in 2025 will be celebrated on April 20, with Good Friday observed on April 18. It marks Jesus Christ’s resurrection and is central to the Christian faith. The varying Easter date depends on lunar cycles, and different calendars used by Western and Eastern churches explain why Easter may fall on different days.



Good Friday, the most sacred and mournful of Christian holidays, lends itself to introspection about the great sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It commemorates the day of crucifixion, that momentous day in history marking redemption and hope for mankind. This holy day is not so much a day of lament but, more importantly, a day of thanksgiving and awe as believers come together to pay tribute to the magnitude of God's love expressed through Christ's passion on the cross.

Dates for Good Friday and Easter Sunday 2025

Good Friday 2025: April 18

Easter Sunday 2025: Apr 20, 2025

Why is Good Friday also known as Holy Friday or Black Friday?

Good Friday is known as Holy Friday or Black Friday because it is a sacred and solemn occasion in the Christian faith. The word "Holy Friday" indicates the holiness of the day when Christians mark the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It captures the sacredness and religious significance of Jesus's sacrifice, which is a focus of Christian beliefs regarding redemption and salvation

The term "Black Friday" emphasizes the seriousness and gloom of Good Friday. It represents the darkness and sadness surrounding Jesus's agony and death on the cross. In German-speaking nations, for instance, Good Friday is referred to as Karfreitag, or "Mourning Friday," which also reflects the solemnity of the day.

History and Significance

Good Friday

Good Friday honors the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is a solemn day marked by church services, fasting, and reflection. The importance of Good Friday lies in Jesus's sacrifice, which is seen as a payment for humanity's sins, offering hope for reconciliation with God.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday generally falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs after the spring equinox. Easter Sunday, or Resurrection Sunday, celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a major Christian holiday and represents hope, renewal, and victory over evil. The resurrection is evidence that Jesus is divine and His predictions.

Why Does Easter’s Date Change Every Year?

Easter doesn’t have a fixed date because it follows the ecclesiastical calendar, which is based on the lunar cycle. The Church decided that:

  - The vernal equinox (when day and night are equal) is on March 21.

  - The Paschal full moon happens on the 14th day of the lunar month (not always the actual full moon).

  - Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the Paschal full moon.

This method makes the date change every year.

Why Do Different Christian Groups Celebrate Easter on Different Dates?

Different Christian traditions follow different calendars:

  - Western Churches (Roman Catholics & Protestants) use the Gregorian calendar.

  - Eastern Orthodox Churches (Greek & Russian Orthodox) follow the Julian calendar.

This usually means they celebrate Easter on different days. But in 2025, both traditions will be celebrated on April 20, which is rare!

Calculation of Easter Date

The calculation of the date of Easter consists of a complex process called Computus, which synchronizes the lunar cycle with the solar year in calculating the paschal full moon. This ensures that Easter occurs between March 22 and April 25 in the Western calendar.