Easter Sunday 2026 falls on Sunday, April 5, 2026. It is the most significant observance in the Christian liturgical calendar, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter is a movable feast calculated using the Paschal Full Moon following the spring equinox.
Easter Sunday is the annual Christian observance marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, as recorded across all four Gospel accounts: Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20. It concludes the Holy Week period and the 40-day Lenten season that precedes it.
Easter Sunday is not a fixed-date holiday. Its date shifts annually based on a lunisolar calculation established at the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. This distinguishes it from fixed-date Christian observances such as Christmas (December 25) and Epiphany (January 6).
Easter Sunday is the highest feast in the Christian liturgical year across Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and most Protestant denominations.
In theological terms, it marks the cornerstone of Christian doctrine: the belief that Jesus Christ, crucified on Good Friday, rose from the dead on the third day, validating claims of divinity and securing the promise of salvation for believers.
Easter Sunday is not a federal public holiday in the United States, Canada, or most secular nations, though Easter Monday (Monday, April 6, 2026) is a public holiday in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Germany, and many other countries.
Table of Contents
Easter Sunday 2026: Date, Day, and Key Facts
Easter Sunday 2026 is Sunday, April 5, 2026.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Easter Sunday (Western) | Sunday, April 5, 2026 |
| Easter Sunday (Orthodox) | Sunday, April 12, 2026 |
| Paschal Full Moon 2026 | Thursday, April 2, 2026 |
| Spring Equinox 2026 | Friday, March 20, 2026 |
| Good Friday 2026 | Friday, April 3, 2026 |
| Holy Saturday 2026 | Saturday, April 4, 2026 |
| Easter Monday 2026 | Monday, April 6, 2026 |
| Golden Number 2026 | 13 |
| Epact 2026 | 3 |
Easter 2026 falls 15 days earlier than Easter 2025, which fell on Sunday, April 20, 2025. This is one of the larger year-over-year shifts in the modern Easter cycle, driven by the position of the Paschal Full Moon in the ecclesiastical calendar.
Why Easter 2026 Is Earlier Than Easter 2025
The 15-day difference between Easter 2025 (Sunday, April 20) and Easter 2026 (Sunday, April 5) results from the Metonic cycle — the 19-year lunisolar cycle used to calculate ecclesiastical full moon dates.
The Paschal Full Moon in 2025 fell on Sunday, April 13. In 2026, it falls on Thursday, April 2 — 11 days earlier in the lunar cycle. Easter is always the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon, so the earlier full moon produces an earlier Easter date.
This shift also means that Easter 2026 does not align with many U.S. school spring break schedules, which in numerous districts ended the week of March 23–27, 2026, before Holy Week began.
How the Date of Easter Sunday Is Calculated
Easter Sunday falls on the first Sunday after the Paschal Full Moon, which is the first ecclesiastical full moon occurring on or after the ecclesiastical spring equinox of March 21.
This rule was formalized at the First Council of Nicaea in AD 325, convened by Emperor Constantine I. The council standardized Easter observance across the Christian church by adopting a unified calculation method.
The Computus: The Algorithm Behind the Date
The ecclesiastical method for calculating Easter is called the Computus (Latin: computus paschalis). It does not use the actual astronomical full moon or the actual spring equinox. Instead, it relies on a set of fixed tables derived from the Metonic cycle — a 19-year cycle after which lunar phases recur on the same calendar dates.
Key variables in the Computus:
- Golden Number: A number from 1 to 19 indicating the year’s position in the Metonic cycle. For 2026, the Golden Number is 13.
- Epact: The age of the moon on January 1 of a given year. For 2026, the Epact is 3.
- Paschal Full Moon: The ecclesiastical full moon on or after March 21. For 2026, this is Thursday, April 2.
- Dominical Letter: A letter (A–G) identifying which days of the year fall on Sundays.
The result: Easter can fall no earlier than Sunday, March 22, and no later than Sunday, April 25, in any given year. Historically, March 22 is the rarest Easter date (last occurred in 1818; next in 2285). April 25 is also rare (last in 1943; next in 2038).
Easter Sunday Dates: 2024–2035
| Year | Easter Sunday (Western) | Easter Sunday (Orthodox) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Sunday, March 31, 2024 | Sunday, May 5, 2024 |
| 2025 | Sunday, April 20, 2025 | Sunday, April 20, 2025 |
| 2026 | Sunday, April 5, 2026 | Sunday, April 12, 2026 |
| 2027 | Sunday, March 28, 2027 | Sunday, May 2, 2027 |
| 2028 | Sunday, April 16, 2028 | Sunday, April 16, 2028 |
| 2029 | Sunday, April 1, 2029 | Sunday, April 8, 2029 |
| 2030 | Sunday, April 21, 2030 | Sunday, April 28, 2030 |
| 2031 | Sunday, April 13, 2031 | Sunday, April 13, 2031 |
| 2032 | Sunday, March 28, 2032 | Sunday, May 2, 2032 |
| 2033 | Sunday, April 17, 2033 | Sunday, April 17, 2033 |
| 2034 | Sunday, April 9, 2034 | Sunday, April 9, 2034 |
| 2035 | Sunday, March 25, 2035 | Sunday, April 29, 2035 |
Western and Orthodox Easter dates coincide in years when both calendars produce the same Paschal Full Moon Sunday. In 2025, both fell on Sunday, April 20. In 2026, they diverge by one week.
Western Easter vs. Orthodox Easter 2026
Western Easter (Sunday, April 5, 2026) and Orthodox Easter (Sunday, April 12, 2026) differ by 7 days in 2026 because the Eastern Orthodox Church uses the Julian calendar to calculate the Paschal Full Moon, while Western churches use the Gregorian calendar.
The Julian calendar currently runs 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar. As a result, the Orthodox Paschal Full Moon falls later than the Western Paschal Full Moon in most years.
Comparison: Western vs. Orthodox Easter Calculation
| Factor | Western (Catholic/Protestant) | Eastern Orthodox |
|---|---|---|
| Calendar basis | Gregorian (reformed 1582) | Julian (pre-reform) |
| Spring equinox date used | March 21 (Gregorian) | April 3 (Julian equivalent) |
| Paschal Full Moon 2026 | Thursday, April 2, 2026 | Thursday, April 9, 2026 |
| Easter Sunday 2026 | Sunday, April 5, 2026 | Sunday, April 12, 2026 |
| Council authority | Council of Nicaea (AD 325) + Gregorian reform | Council of Nicaea (AD 325), unmodified |
| Denominations | Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, most Protestant | Greek Orthodox, Russian Orthodox, Serbian Orthodox, Bulgarian Orthodox |
Orthodox Easter is also known as Pascha (from the Greek Πάσχα, itself from the Hebrew Pesach, meaning Passover). The observance follows the same theological basis — the resurrection of Jesus Christ —, but the liturgical calendar, language, and traditions differ significantly.
In 2025, both Western and Orthodox Easter fell on the same date (Sunday, April 20, 2025) — a relatively rare alignment that occurs approximately every 3–4 years.
The Meaning of Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which Christian doctrine holds occurred on the third day following his crucifixion.
The theological significance is that the resurrection validates Jesus’ claim to divinity, fulfills Old Testament prophecy, and provides the basis for the Christian doctrine of salvation.
The Resurrection Accounts in Scripture
All four canonical Gospels include a resurrection narrative. They agree on core facts — an empty tomb, post-resurrection appearances, and the testimony of women as the first witnesses — while differing in some details of chronology and appearances.
- Matthew 28: An angel rolls back the stone; Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” are the first witnesses. Jesus appears to the women and then to the eleven disciples in Galilee.
- Mark 16: Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome discover the empty tomb. A young man in white announces the resurrection.
- Luke 24: Multiple women find the tomb empty. Two disciples encounter Jesus on the road to Emmaus without recognizing him, then recognize him at the breaking of the bread.
- John 20: Mary Magdalene discovers the empty tomb alone and initially mistakes the risen Jesus for a gardener. Jesus later appears to Thomas, who had doubted, and invites him to touch his wounds.
Mary Magdalene is identified in all four Gospel accounts as either the first or among the first to witness the empty tomb, making her a central figure in the Easter narrative across all denominational traditions.
Easter Sunday and Its Theological Relationship to Passover
Easter Sunday is historically and theologically connected to the Jewish feast of Passover (Pesach). The Last Supper, held on Maundy Thursday, was a Passover Seder. Jesus was crucified during the Passover period. The New Testament describes Jesus as the “Paschal Lamb” (1 Corinthians 5:7), drawing a direct typological connection between the Passover lamb sacrificed in Exodus and the crucifixion narrative.
The word Pascha — used for Easter in Greek, Latin, and most European languages (French: Pâques; Italian: Pasqua; Spanish: Pascua) — derives directly from the Hebrew Pesach.
The term Easter in English is the exception, not the rule. The Venerable Bede, an 8th-century Anglo-Saxon monk, wrote in De Temporum Ratione (AD 725) that the name derived from Eosturmonath, an Anglo-Saxon month associated with a spring festival.
Linguists and historians debate whether a goddess named Eostre actually existed or whether Bede’s account is the sole source. No other contemporaneous record of the goddess survives.
Holy Week 2026: The Full Timeline Before Easter Sunday
Holy Week 2026 begins on Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026, and concludes on Holy Saturday, April 4, 2026. It encompasses the final week of Jesus’ life as narrated in the Gospels.
| Day | Date (2026) | Observance | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palm Sunday | Sunday, March 29, 2026 | Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem | Crowds laid palm branches before him (John 12:12–15) |
| Holy Monday | Monday, March 30, 2026 | Cleansing of the Temple | Jesus overturns the tables of money changers (Matthew 21:12) |
| Holy Tuesday | Tuesday, March 31, 2026 | Temple teachings | Jesus debates religious leaders; Olivet Discourse |
| Spy Wednesday | Wednesday, April 1, 2026 | Betrayal agreement | Judas Iscariot agrees to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver |
| Maundy Thursday | Thursday, April 2, 2026 | Last Supper; institution of the Eucharist | Jesus washes disciples’ feet; institutes Communion (1 Corinthians 11:23–26) |
| Good Friday | Friday, April 3, 2026 | Crucifixion of Jesus | Observed with fasting, the Stations of the Cross, and Tenebrae |
| Holy Saturday | Saturday, April 4, 2026 | Jesus in the tomb | Easter Vigil held after sunset in Catholic and some Protestant traditions |
| Easter Sunday | Sunday, April 5, 2026 | Resurrection | The central observance of the Christian calendar |
The Easter Triduum — Latin for “three days” — refers specifically to Maundy Thursday evening through Easter Sunday. Many liturgical traditions consider these the holiest three days of the year.
Easter Vigil: The Night Before Easter Sunday
The Easter Vigil is the most ancient Easter liturgy, held after sunset on Holy Saturday (Saturday, April 4, 2026) and before sunrise on Easter Sunday (Sunday, April 5, 2026).
In the Roman Catholic tradition, it is the one night of the year when adult candidates (catechumens) are baptized, confirmed, and receive First Communion — a rite called the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA).
The Easter Vigil service typically includes four parts:
- The Service of Light — a new fire is lit, and the Paschal candle is blessed and processed into the darkened church.
- The Liturgy of the Word — up to nine Old Testament readings are proclaimed.
- The Liturgy of Baptism — new members are received into the church.
- The Liturgy of the Eucharist — Mass concludes the vigil.
Easter Sunday Church Services and Observances in 2026
Easter Sunday services vary by denomination but universally focus on the proclamation of the resurrection. Across denominations, services on Sunday, April 5, 2026, will include scripture readings from the resurrection accounts, hymns, and a sermon centered on the resurrection narrative.
Sunrise Service
The Easter sunrise service is a Protestant tradition originating with the Moravian Church in Herrnhut, Germany, in 1732. The first sunrise service in North America was held in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on Easter Sunday, April 4, 1773. The tradition re-enacts the women’s early-morning journey to the tomb.
Sunrise services typically begin between 6:00 AM and 7:00 AM local time, outdoors in amphitheaters, parks, hillsides, or church grounds. Attire is typically semi-formal to formal, and participants are generally advised to arrive 15–20 minutes early and dress in layers for early morning temperatures.
Urbi et Orbi: Pope Leo XIV’s Easter 2026 Message
Pope Leo XIV, elected in 2025 and delivering his first full Easter as pope in 2026, will deliver the traditional Urbi et Orbi blessing (“to the city and to the world”) from St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026.
The blessing is broadcast globally and is one of two annual occasions (the other being Christmas) when the Pope issues this formal address.
The Urbi et Orbi blessing carries a plenary indulgence for Catholics who receive it under the standard conditions of confession, Communion, and prayer for the Pope’s intentions.
The History and Origins of Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday as a formal Christian observance dates to the 1st century AD, with its date calculation standardized at the First Council of Nicaea in AD 325.
The Easter Controversy: Quartodeciman Dispute
The early church disagreed on when to observe the resurrection. The Quartodeciman faction (primarily in Asia Minor, following the tradition of the Apostle John) celebrated Easter on the 14th of Nisan — the exact date of Passover in the Jewish calendar — regardless of the day of the week.
The Roman and Alexandrian churches insisted Easter must always fall on a Sunday, the day of the resurrection.
The Council of Nicaea (AD 325) resolved the dispute in favor of the Sunday observance and mandated a unified calculation method to prevent Christians in different regions from celebrating Easter on different days.
Gregorian Calendar Reform and Easter
In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII replaced the Julian calendar with the Gregorian calendar, primarily to correct the drift in the calculation of Easter. The Julian calendar had accumulated an error of approximately 10 days by the 16th century, meaning the astronomical spring equinox fell on March 11 rather than March 21.
The Gregorian reform dropped 10 calendar days in October 1582 and introduced a corrected leap year rule. Protestant and Eastern Orthodox churches were slower to adopt the reform, which is why the date divergence between Western and Orthodox Easter persists today.
Easter Sunday Traditions Around the World
Easter Sunday traditions range from sunrise church services and communal meals to egg hunts, elaborate processions, and culturally distinct folk practices.
The secular customs (eggs, the Easter Bunny) and the liturgical observances coexist in most Western cultures, though their origins and audiences differ.
Easter Eggs: Symbolism and History
The Easter egg predates widespread secular commercialization. In early Christian tradition, eggs symbolized the sealed tomb and new life. The shell represents the sealed tomb; cracking the egg represents the resurrection. Red-dyed eggs, common in Eastern Orthodox tradition, represent the blood of Christ.
Pysanky (singular: pysanka) are Ukrainian Easter eggs decorated using a wax-resist dyeing method. The tradition predates Christian evangelization of Ukraine and was later incorporated into Christian Easter practice. The art form uses a stylus (kistka) to apply beeswax to the egg before each sequential dye bath.
The White House Easter Egg Roll has been held annually since 1878, when President Rutherford B. Hayes opened the White House grounds to children. It is the longest-running annual public event at the White House.
The Easter Bunny: Origins and Documented History
The Easter Bunny’s documented origin in European tradition is the Osterhase (Easter hare), first referenced in German sources in 1682. The tradition was brought to Pennsylvania by German immigrants in the 18th century and spread through American culture in the 19th century.
The connection between hares/rabbits and spring predates Christianity and appears in various pre-Christian spring fertility contexts across Northern Europe, though the direct line from any specific pagan deity to the contemporary Easter Bunny is disputed among historians.
Global Easter Sunday Traditions
| Country / Region | Tradition | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Greece | Midnight resurrection service (Anastasi); red eggs; lamb roast | Paschal candle flame carried home from church |
| Philippines | Senakulo (passion play); Salubong (pre-dawn procession) | The Salubong re-enacts the meeting of the risen Christ and the Virgin Mary |
| Ethiopia | Fasika; Coptic Easter; 55-day fast (Tsome Filseta) broken on Easter | Injera and lamb served after the fast |
| Caribbean | Easter kite flying in Bermuda; Barbados Good Friday tradition | Kites symbolize Christ’s ascension |
| Poland | Åšmigus-Dyngus (Wet Monday); pisanki egg decoration | Water-dousing tradition on Easter Monday |
| United States | Sunrise services; Easter egg hunts; Easter basket giving; Easter brunch | Secular and religious traditions coexist |
| United Kingdom | Hot cross buns (Good Friday tradition); Easter egg rolling | Hot cross buns sold year-round, but traditionally eaten on Good Friday |
Hot Cross Buns
Hot cross buns are spiced sweet rolls marked with a cross on top, traditionally eaten on Good Friday in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries.
The earliest documented reference to hot cross buns in England dates to 1733. The cross represents the crucifixion. Spices — typically cinnamon, nutmeg, and mixed peel — vary by recipe and region.
Easter Sunday and Lent: The 40-Day Preparation
Easter Sunday concludes the Lenten season, a 40-day period of fasting, penance, and spiritual preparation that begins on Ash Wednesday, on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
The 40 days of Lent reference the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert (Matthew 4:1–11). Sundays are not counted in the Lenten fast because every Sunday is considered a “little Easter” in Catholic and some Protestant traditions.
| Lenten Milestone | Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| Ash Wednesday | Wednesday, February 18, 2026 |
| First Sunday of Lent | Sunday, February 22, 2026 |
| Laetare Sunday (4th Sunday of Lent) | Sunday, March 22, 2026 |
| Palm Sunday | Sunday, March 29, 2026 |
| Good Friday | Friday, April 3, 2026 |
| Easter Sunday | Sunday, April 5, 2026 |
| Pentecost Sunday | Sunday, May 24, 2026 |
Eastertide — the 50 days from Easter Sunday through Pentecost Sunday — follows Easter. Pentecost Sunday, on Sunday, May 24, 2026, marks the end of the Easter season.
Easter Sunday Food Traditions
Traditional Easter Sunday meals vary by region, denomination, and cultural background, but lamb is the most widely documented traditional Easter food across Christian history.
Lamb vs. Ham: The Easter Dinner Debate
| Protein | Tradition | Primary Regions |
|---|---|---|
| Lamb | Oldest documented Easter food; the Paschal Lamb is a direct reference to Jesus as the “Lamb of God” (John 1:29); Greek, Italian, Middle Eastern, and Catholic European traditions | Greece, Italy, France, Middle East, Catholic US households |
| Ham | Practical post-Lenten tradition in Northern Europe and North America; pigs were slaughtered in autumn, salt-cured, and ready by spring, making ham a seasonal staple available at Easter | United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Scandinavian countries |
Neither lamb nor ham has universal doctrinal precedent. Lamb carries stronger theological symbolism, while ham reflects historical food preservation practices in northern climates.
Easter Sunday Brunch and Dinner: Common Dishes
A representative Easter Sunday meal in the United States typically includes:
- Main: Glazed ham or roast leg of lamb
- Sides: Deviled eggs, scalloped potatoes, asparagus, spring salads
- Bread: Hot cross buns, dinner rolls
- Dessert: Carrot cake, lemon tart, simnel cake (traditional in the UK), lamb-shaped cake (agnello pasquale in Italy)
Simnel cake is a fruitcake topped with marzipan and decorated with 11 marzipan balls, traditionally representing the 11 faithful apostles (excluding Judas Iscariot). It is associated with Easter in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Easter Sunday 2026: Store Hours and What Is Open
Most major U.S. retailers and grocery stores make independent decisions about Easter Sunday hours, and practices vary by chain and region. Easter Sunday is not a federally mandated closure day in the United States.
Known Store Status for Easter Sunday 2026
| Store | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart | Open | Reduced hours at many locations; confirm locally |
| Target | Open | Reduced hours at some locations |
| Kroger | Open | Hours vary by location |
| Publix | Open | Regular or reduced hours |
| CVS Pharmacy | Open | Most locations open |
| Walgreens | Open | Most locations open |
| Aldi | Closed | Closed all Easter Sunday |
| Costco | Closed | Closed all Easter Sunday |
| Sam’s Club | Closed | Closed all Easter Sunday |
| TJ Maxx | Closed | Closed Easter Sunday |
| Kohl’s | Closed | Closed Easter Sunday |
| Macy’s | Closed | Closed Easter Sunday |
| Dollar Tree | Open | Most locations open; hours vary |
| Home Depot | Open | Most locations open |
| Lowe’s | Open | Most locations open |
Hours listed are general patterns as of 2026. Individual store hours vary by location. Confirm specific times via the retailer’s website or store locator before traveling.
Easter Sunday 2026
Is Easter Sunday a Public Holiday in the United States?
Easter Sunday is not a federal public holiday in the United States. Federal holidays are defined by Congress under 5 U.S.C. § 6103 and do not include Easter. However, many state governments, schools, and private businesses observe Good Friday (Friday, April 3, 2026) or Easter Monday (Monday, April 6, 2026) as optional or regional observances. In approximately 12 U.S. states, Good Friday is a partial or full state holiday.
What Is the Difference Between Easter Sunday and Resurrection Sunday?
“Resurrection Sunday” is a term used primarily in evangelical Protestant communities as an alternative to “Easter Sunday,” emphasizing the theological event over the English word’s debated etymology. The term “Easter” is used in English and German (Ostern) but not in most other languages, where the Passover-derived term Pascha is standard. The theological observance is identical regardless of the name used. The debate over terminology is largely an intra-Protestant discussion and does not reflect a doctrinal difference between denominations.
What Is the Connection Between Easter and Passover?
Easter and Passover are historically connected because the crucifixion occurred during the Passover period. The Last Supper, held the night before Jesus’ crucifixion (Maundy Thursday), is described in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22) as a Passover Seder. The Gospel of John places the crucifixion on the day of Passover preparation (John 19:14), creating a theological parallel: Jesus dies at the moment the Passover lambs are slaughtered in the Temple. Paul explicitly uses this parallel in 1 Corinthians 5:7 (“Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed”). In 2026, the first night of Passover (Pesach) begins at sundown on Wednesday, April 1, 2026 — three days before Western Easter Sunday.
Easter Sunday Across Denominations: Key Differences
The core observance — the resurrection of Jesus Christ — is consistent across denominations, but liturgical practice, calendar date, and theological emphasis differ.
| Denomination | Easter Name | Calendar | Key 2026 Date | Key Practices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roman Catholic | Easter Sunday | Gregorian | Sunday, April 5, 2026 | Easter Vigil, Mass, Urbi et Orbi (Vatican) |
| Eastern Orthodox | Pascha | Julian | Sunday, April 12, 2026 | Anastasi (midnight service), Agape Vespers |
| Anglican / Episcopalian | Easter Sunday | Gregorian | Sunday, April 5, 2026 | Easter Vigil, Morning Prayer, Eucharist |
| Lutheran | Easter Sunday | Gregorian | Sunday, April 5, 2026 | Easter Vigil optional, morning service, Communion |
| Methodist | Easter Sunday | Gregorian | Sunday, April 5, 2026 | Morning service, Communion, sunrise service |
| Baptist | Easter Sunday or Resurrection Sunday | Gregorian | Sunday, April 5, 2026 | Morning service; Easter Vigil generally not observed |
| Non-denominational Evangelical | Resurrection Sunday | Gregorian | Sunday, April 5, 2026 | Morning service; no Easter Vigil; may hold special sermon series |
| Coptic Orthodox | Pascha (Fasika in Ethiopia) | Coptic calendar | Sunday, May 3, 2026 | 55-day fast; midnight liturgy |
The Coptic Orthodox Church follows its own calendar and calculates Pascha differently from both Western and Eastern Orthodox churches. In 2026, Coptic Pascha falls on Sunday, May 3, 2026.
Easter Sunday: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Easter Sunday the most important Christian holiday?
In terms of theological priority, Easter Sunday ranks above Christmas in Christian doctrine. Christmas marks the Incarnation — the birth of Jesus —, but Easter marks the Resurrection, which Christian theology identifies as the event that validates the entire theological framework of salvation.
The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:17: “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile.” Many liturgical traditions, including Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican, formally designate Easter as the Feast of Feasts — the highest celebration of the liturgical year.
In popular Western culture, Christmas generates greater commercial activity ($929.5 billion in retail spending in the U.S. in 2024, according to the National Retail Federation), while Easter generates approximately $24 billion in U.S. consumer spending annually.
What scriptures are traditionally read on Easter Sunday?
The lectionary readings for Easter Sunday (Sunday, April 5, 2026) in the Roman Catholic and many Protestant traditions follow the three-year cycle (Year C in 2026):
First Reading: Acts 10:34a, 37–43 (Peter’s speech about the resurrection)
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 118:1–2, 16–17, 22–23
Second Reading: Colossians 3:1–4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6b–8
Gospel: John 20:1–9 (the discovery of the empty tomb); or Luke 24:13–35 at an evening Mass
Why does the Easter date change every year?
Easter changes annually because it is calculated using a lunisolar calendar, not the solar Gregorian calendar used for fixed-date holidays.
The rule requires the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the fixed ecclesiastical equinox of March 21.
The full moon’s date shifts by approximately 11 days each year against the Gregorian calendar (the difference between a solar year of 365 days and a lunar year of 354 days), causing the Easter date to move within a 35-day range (March 22 to April 25).
All dates in this article reflect the proleptic Gregorian calendar for Western observances and the Julian calendar conversion for Orthodox observances. Date calculations are based on the Computus paschalis as standardized at the Council of Nicaea (AD 325) and confirmed in the Gregorian calendar reform of 1582.
