Ash Wednesday falls on Valentine’s Day this year, Feb. 14, 2024, followed by Easter Sunday on March 31, 2024.
Easter Sunday, which celebrates the celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after crucifixion, comes at the end of Holy Week with Good Friday and Holy Saturday preceding it.
Although Easter always falls between March 22 and April 25, this will be the first time since 2016 that Easter is in March. After this year, Easter will be in April in 2025 and 2026 before it lands on March 27, 2027.
How is the date for Easter determined?
Easter always falls on the Sunday following the Paschal Full Moon.
In 325 BCE, the Council of Nicaea set the date for the Easter for the Sunday following the first full moon occurring on or after the vernal equinox — the start of spring.
When is Easter Sunday in 2024? Is it early or late this year?Canva for NJ.com
When does Lent begin? When is Ash Wednesday?
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which falls on Valentine’s Day this year, Feb. 14, 2024. The last time Valentine’s Day coincided with Ash Wednesday was in 2018.
Lent marks 40 days of prayer and fasting in preparation for Easter. It ends on Holy Thursday, three days before Easter Sunday.
Wednesday, February 22, 2023 - The Episcopal Diocese of New Jersey offers "Ashes To Go" at the Trenton Transit Center. In photo from left are Right Reverend William H. (Chip) Stokes; Bishop; and Very Rev. Rene John, Dean of Trinity Cathedral in Trenton.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
When is Orthodox Easter?
Orthodox Easter is celebrated on a different day. In 2024, it will be much later on Sunday, May 5. Western Easter and Orthodox Easter are usually not on the same day, though both will be on April 20 in 2025. Orthodox Easter is based on the Julian calendar and is always between April 4 and May 8 on our calendar.
Is Easter a federal holiday in the U.S.?
No, because it is always celebrated on a Sunday.
In New Jersey and 11 other states, Good Friday is a state holiday with all government offices closed. Other places where Good Friday is a state holiday are Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Tennessee and Texas.
Good Friday is not a federal holiday.
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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com