Easter is one of the most significant festivals in the Christian calendar, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. But who fixed the date of this important celebration?

The date of Easter is determined by a complex set of calculations that involve both astronomical and ecclesiastical considerations. The decision to establish a fixed date for Easter was made during the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. This council, convened by Roman Emperor Constantine I, aimed to unify the Christian church and resolve various theological disputes.

At the time, different Christian communities celebrated Easter on different dates, which caused confusion and division among believers. To resolve this issue, the council decided to adopt a uniform method to determine the date of Easter. They relied on the vernal equinox, which occurs around March 21st, and the first full moon following the equinox.

Based on these astronomical events, Easter was set to be celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox. This method, known as the Computus, is still used to calculate the date of Easter today, albeit with some modifications introduced over the centuries.

Initially, the calculations were done manually, which required extensive astronomical knowledge and expertise. However, with the advancement of technology, the Computus became more accurate and accessible. Today, computers and algorithms are used to determine the exact date of Easter, taking into account leap years and other factors.

It is important to note that the decision made by the Council of Nicaea only applied to Western Christianity. Eastern Orthodox churches have a different method for calculating the date of Easter, known as the Julian calendar.

In conclusion, the date of the Christian festival Easter was fixed during the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. The council established a uniform method, known as the Computus, based on astronomical events such as the vernal equinox and the first full moon following it. This method is still used today, although with technological advancements, making it more accurate and accessible for Christians worldwide.

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