For the first time since 2017, Western and Orthodox churches will celebrate Easter on the same day — April 20, 2025. This rare alignment offers a unique moment of unity for Christian communities worldwide.
Typically, Western churches — including Catholics, Anglicans, and Lutherans — observe Easter between March 22 and April 25, based on the Gregorian calendar. Orthodox churches, on the other hand, celebrate Easter between April 4 and May 8, using the Julian calendar, which currently runs 13 days behind the Gregorian one.
The date of Easter Sunday is not fixed, as it’s determined by a formula set by the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD: Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. Despite both traditions using this method, differences in calendar systems and equinox definitions usually cause divergent Easter dates.
Why Is Easter the Same for Both Churches in 2025?
In 2025, the lunar and solar calculations align for both calendar systems, causing Good Friday to fall on April 18 and Easter Sunday on April 20 across all denominations.
This synchronicity offers a rare chance for shared Easter traditions, from church services to community gatherings — and yes, even the exchange of Easter eggs, which are typically given out on Easter Sunday to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.
Fun Fact:
Orthodox Easter is often celebrated later due to its reliance on a fixed vernal equinox date (March 21 Julian, or April 3 Gregorian), which doesn’t match the astronomical equinox used in Western calculations.
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