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paschal moon

religious calendar date

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The "paschal moon" is a term used in religious calendars to determine the date of Easter. It refers to the lunar month where the 14th day falls on or immediately after March 21st, according to specific ecclesiastical rules. This calculation is crucial for establishing the date of Easter, a movable feast that depends on both lunar and solar cycles. The concept of the paschal moon has been a subject of historical controversies within the Christian Church regarding the precise method of its calculation. The determination of Easter's date, and thus the paschal moon, involves complex calculations based on lunar phases and the vernal equinox, aiming to reconcile lunar reckonings with the solar year.123

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