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Why isn't the Feast of the Annunciation on March 25 this year?

Question

Question

Why are we not celebrating the Annunciation on March 25 this year?

Answer

Answer

Many feasts of the church happen on specific dates, such as Christmas on December 25 and the Annunciation on March 25. However, Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon after the Spring equinox (the first day of Spring), so it happens on different dates in different years. The week before Easter is called "Holy Week" and the week after is the "Easter Octave." When high-ranking feasts such as the Annunciation or St. Joseph's Day (March 19) would land in Easter Week or Holy Week, they are rescheduled to happen during the second week of Easter so that they do not get skipped or have to compete with Easter. This year, the Annunciation would have been on Monday of Holy Week and is instead celebrates April 8. When lesser memorials occur in this time, they are simply dropped in favor of the Easter events.