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This year the date for this annual memorial of Christs death falls on Wednesday day March 23 2016.

Since the ancient Jewish lunar calendar counted the start of a new month from the first observable manifestation of a new moon the timing is some what later than a scientific calculation of the exact phases of the moon. Usng the same method the Jehovah's Witnesses calculate the start of Nisan and count forward to the 14th of Nisan.

Another reason the date of the 2016 Memorial occurs on a different date from the Jewish Passover is that the Jewish year corresponding to 2015-16, namely 5776, is the 19th year of a 19-year calendar cycle, and is therefore designated as a 13-month leap year. The Jewish Calendar cycle designates the 3rd, 6th, 8th, 11th, 14th, 17th and 19th years as leap years. As a result, the Passover celebration is postponed by one lunar month, occurring on April 22th instead of March 24th, thus also one lunar month later than the Memorial celebration.

That date is aligned with the corresponding date on our modern calendar so it varies each year. However that it is accurate is shown by the fact that this date is always the date of the first full moon following the spring equinox which was the official Passover date on which Jesus instituted the new covenant. When you step out side on what ever date the memorial is on you will see a bright full moon (weather permitting).

The memorial ceremony can start before sundown but the passing of the emblems (bread and wine) must commence after sundown since that is when a new day began on the ancient lunar based calendar..

This is the most important event of the year in Jehovah's witnesses lives. The attendance worldwide dwarfs the official number of Jehovah's Witnesses since many newly interested persons and family members of active Witnesses will come. Additionally many formerly active Witnesses will come to this annual event.

A three week long campaign is engaged in each year to invite as many people as possible to come and learn about how the death of Jesus Christ can benefit each one of us.

Follow this link to read your invitation to this years memorial and find a location near you to attend. https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/memorial/

  • The only problem I see here is that the Jewish Passover for 2016, thus the 14th of Nisan is on April 22. – Ken Graham Feb 27 '16 at 16:04
  • @ken graham this is a leap year on Jewish calendar they add a month 29 days to catch up also I dont think they care so much about the vernal equinox and first full moon following. I am asking a new question about why there is a month between Easter and Passover this year – Kris Feb 28 '16 at 17:09


When should we commemorate Jesus’ death?



You are invited to attend the Memorial.


protected by Community Mar 22 '16 at 22:33


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