Easter Delayed: Rare Blood Moon Eclipse Impacts Date in 2025

NEW YORK, NY — Easter Sunday for Christians in 2025 will fall on April 20, marking one of the latest occurrences of the holiday in recent years. The date’s delay is attributed to a rare total lunar eclipse known as a ‘Blood Moon,’ which will take place on March 13-14, 2025.

This total lunar eclipse will be visible across North America and is the last full moon before the spring equinox. Its timing pushes the ‘Pink Moon,’ or ‘Paschal Moon,’ into mid-April, altering the traditional date for Easter. According to historical records, the latest possible date for Easter is April 25.

The connection between lunar phases and the date of Easter can be surprising; however, many religions utilize lunar or lunisolar calendars to determine their significant annual observances. Other notable events, such as the Chinese Lunar New Year, Ramadan, and Passover, are also linked to lunar timings.

Unlike Christmas, which adheres to the Gregorian solar calendar, Easter is determined by lunar cycles and the arrival of the spring equinox. The formula states that Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the equinox. In 2024, Easter was celebrated on March 31, while this year’s delay results from the timing of the full ‘Worm Moon‘ eclipse.

In 2025, many observers will have the opportunity to witness this ‘Blood Moon’ eclipse. During this event, the full ‘Worm Moon’ will move into the Earth’s umbral shadow, creating a striking reddish-orange hue that will last approximately 65 minutes. This total lunar eclipse will be entirely visible from both North and South America.

The lunar phases that dictate the timing of Easter have influenced human calendars for thousands of years. For instance, January 29 marked the Chinese Lunar New Year, initiating the Year of the Snake and leading to the Lantern Festival on the full moon of February 12. Similarly, Ramadan starts with the observation of the crescent moon on February 28, with Eid al-Fitr occurring at the sighting of the next crescent moon.

Moreover, the Jewish Passover begins on the 15th of Nisan, also a full moon, which coincides with the ‘Pink Moon’ on April 13, 2025. It’s noteworthy that Orthodox Christians, who follow the Julian calendar, celebrate Easter at a different time than Western Christians. The intersection of these calendar traditions means both groups will mark Easter on the same date in 2025 for the first time since 2017.

This rare celestial event is expected to draw significant attention, as the Blood Moon eclipse occurs just before Easter, illustrating the intricate relationship between astronomical phenomena and cultural traditions. As 2025 progresses, many will look forward to clear skies to witness the captivating eclipse.