Easter and Passover
Question from Jack on 3/5/2008:

I thought that Passover and Easter were at the same time, i.e. Passover is celebrated during Holy Week. But this year they are a month apart. Can you explain why?

Answer by Catholic Answers on 3/5/2008:
Jack--

Passover is a Jewish holiday determined by the Hebrew liturgical calendar. Easter is a Christian holiday determined by the Gregorian calendar. Although the holidays sometimes fall close together, and while both holidays always fall in the spring, the dates on which they fall are not dependent on each other. For Christians, it was more important to celebrate Easter on Sunday than to ensure that it fell on or near Passover.

Michelle Arnold
Catholic Answers