Why does Holy Week in Peru change dates every year?

Now after two years of pandemic, the celebrations are returning at a pace as before the health crisis, taking into account restrictive measures due to COVID-19. However, this holiday has changes every year in its dates that can confuse the curious or unknown. Why is this happening? We explain it to you.

THE REASON FOR THE CHANGE OF DATE IN EACH YEAR

The first call “The Big Week” has a connection with the full moon, since it also has its date changes according to its lunar phases. It becomes visible when it reflects entire light and is perceived as an illuminated disc. Everything shines and in the distance you will be able to see the full shape and color of the Moon, before it gets dark again. Recall that it was held on Friday, March 18 of this year.

In this sense, All Saints' Day is celebrated when the Full Moon appears, after the spring equinox, which occurs when the Sun is situated on the plane of the celestial equator. The agreement was given at the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea in 325 so that there would be no coincidence with the Jewish Passover.

How to calculate it? For the astronomical full moon must be used, so that Christian Easter Sunday is given in a 35-day hiatus (it must be celebrated between March 22 and April 25). In this sense, the 2022 holiday begins on Sunday, April 10 and ends on April 17. Key days that will change by 2023.

WHY IS CHRISTIAN PASSOVER CELEBRATED BEFORE JEWISH?

Known as Passover, Passover takes place on the 15th of the Hebrew month of Nisan, which begins with the first full moon of spring. In this case, they are determined by the lunar phases to hold their religious celebrations. This 2022 will be from the afternoon of April 15 to the afternoon of April 23.

ORIGIN OF HOLY WEEK IN PERU

To understand more about the subject, it is necessary to know the origin of this celebration and in the case of Peru it takes place in colonial times, with the arrival of the Spaniards in search of their conquest in countries of America. It begins on Palm Sunday, which is commemorative of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem.

In various provinces of Peru, this religious custom was adopted to the point of being the main week of each place. In some places there is even a tour of the countless local Catholic churches.

In normal times such as 2019, Easter was going to move around 180 million dollars in the country's tourism sector. The cities with the greatest tourist flow are undoubtedly Ayacucho, Cusco, Arequipa and Chiclayo, which are renowned for their Catholic celebrations, tourism, and night parties.

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