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Dating of Easter Differences Between the Eastern and West- Ment Between Eastern and Western Christians was eventually adopted, whereas in the West in the date of Pascha was the differences in the 2. LENT AND EASTER an eighty-four-year cycle. The use of two dif- calendars and lunar tables (paschal cycles) em- ferent paschal cycles inevitably gave way to ployed rather than any theological disagree- Faith and Life is a new pamphlet series Dating of Easter differences between the Eastern and West- ment between Eastern and Western Christians. that provides an introduction to a wide range In The Orthodox Church ern Churches regarding the observance of In view of the fact that today both the Julian and of spiritual and theological issues. Drawing Pascha. Gregorian modes of calculation diverge from the from the beauty and wisdom of Orthodox astronomical data, it behooves all Christians to Christianity, the series addresses the challenges A further cause for these differences was return to the norms determined by the Council of contemporary life and offers guidance to the adoption by the Western Church of the of Nicaea, taking advantage of the most up-to- help you grow in your relationship with God Gregorian Calendar in 1582 to replace the Ju- date astronomical data for the vernal equinox and in your commitment to His will for your lian Calendar. This took place in order to ad- and the phase of the moon. life. The series is a collaborative effort of the just the discrepancy, then observed between Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Departments the paschal cycle approach to calculating of Church and Society, Communications, Pascha and the available astronomical data. Internet Ministries, Outreach and Evangelism, The Orthodox Church continues to base its Religious Education, and Youth and Young Adult calculations for the date of Pascha on the Ju- Dr. Lewis J. Patsavos, Professor of Canon Law, Holy Cross School of Theology Ministries. lian Calendar, which was in use at the time First published, October 2001 of the First Ecumenical Council. As such, it Edited, March 2009 A Holy Week does not take into account the thirteen-day Copyright 2009. All rights reserved. Examines the major themes and meanings of each day of difference between the Julian and Gregorian Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Holy Week and serves as a wonderful introduction to the Calendars. Photos courtesy of John Thomas. varied services that take place during the Great and Holy Icon by Athanasios Clark. Week. Practically speaking, this means that Pas- B Fasting cha may not be celebrated before April 3, Provides an overview on the Biblical roots, practice, and which was March 21, the date of the vernal theological significance of fasting in the Church and how it is an important part of our growth in the Orthodox Christian equinox, at the time of the First Ecumenical faith. Council. In other words, a difference of thir- teen days exists between the accepted date C Dating of Easter (Pascha) for the vernal equinox then and now. In The Orthodox Church Explains how the date of Easter is calculated each year and Consequently, it is the combination of why Western Christians usually celebrate Easter earlier than Orthodox Christians. these variables that accounts for the differ- ent dates of Pascha observed by the Ortho- dox Church and other Christian Churches. If anything, this review of the complexities surrounding the issue of the date of Pascha For additional resources, visit... underscores the compelling need to revisit it FAITH.GOARCH.ORG with patience and openness. This topic has long been a concern of ecumenical dialogue. This was the spirit that predominated at a consultation on the matter held in Aleppo, Syria in 1997. One of its conclusions was that 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075 the underlying reason for the differences Tel: (212) 570-3500 • Fax: (212) 570-3569 FAITH.GOARCH.ORG 4 5 E-mail:[email protected] • Web: www.goarch.org C. Dating of Easter (Pascha) 2. LENT AND EASTER In The Orthodox Church Dating of Easter (Pascha) Events in Jewish history contributing to the dispersion of the Jews had, as a consequence, a In The Orthodox Church departure from the way Passover was reckoned Come RECEIVE THE LIGHT at the time of our Lord’s death and resurrection. ne of the most frequent questions from the unwaning light, This caused the Passover to precede the vernal Oasked by and to Orthodox Christians equinox in some years. It was, in fact, this anom- is “Why does the Orthodox Church and glorify Christ, Who has aly that led to the condemnation reflected in celebrate Easter on a different day than risen from the dead . Canon 1 of Antioch (ca. 330 A.D.) and Canon 7 of other Christians?” This difference has a long the Holy Apostles (late 4th century) of those who history related to Christianity itself, the The Holy Resurrection Service celebrate Pascha “with the Jews.” The purpose complex nature of calendars, and the use of of this condemnation was to prevent Christians astronomical data. from taking into account the calculation of Pass- over in determining the date of Pascha. Almost from the very beginning of the ex- In response to this ongoing problem, the First istence of the Christian Church, the issue re- Ecumenical Council, convened at Nicaea in 325 Most Christians eventually ceased to regulate garding the date of our Lord’s death and res- A.D., took up the issue. It determined that Pascha the observance of Pascha by the Jewish Passover. urrection presented variations. Although the should be celebrated on the Sunday that follows Their purpose, of course, was to preserve the New Testament relates these events to the the first full moon after the vernal equinox – the original practice of celebrating Pascha following Jewish Passover, the details of this relation- actual beginning of spring. If the full moon hap- the vernal equinox. Thus, the Council of Nicaea ship are not clear. On the one hand, the tra- pens to fall on a Sunday, Pascha is observed the sought to link the principles for determining the dition of the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and following Sunday. The day taken to be the in- date of Pascha to the norms for calculating Pass- Luke identifies the Lord’s Last Supper with variable date of the vernal equinox is March 21. over during our Lord’s lifetime. His disciples as a Passover meal. This would Hence, the determination of the date of Pascha is place the death of our Lord on the day after governed by a process dependent on the vernal Despite the intervention of the Council of Ni- Passover. On the other hand, the tradition of equinox and the phase of the moon. caea, certain differences in the technicalities of the Gospel of John situates the death of our regulating the date of Pascha remained even Another factor that figures prominently in de- Lord at the very hour the paschal lambs were thereafter. This resulted occasionally in local termining the date of Pascha is the date of the sacrificed on the day of Passover itself. This variations until, by the sixth century, a more se- Jewish Passover. Originally, Passover was cel- variation in the interpretation of the Scrip- cure mode of calculation based on astronomi- ebrated on the first full moon after the vernal tures led to two different practices. The one cal data was universally accepted. This was an equinox. Christians, therefore, celebrated Pascha observed Pascha on the day of Passover, re- alternative to calculating Pascha by the Passover according to the same calculation - that is, on the gardless of the day of the week, that is a fixed and consisted in the creation of so-called “pas- first Sunday after the first full moon following date. The other observed it on the Sunday chal cycles.” Each paschal cycle corresponded to the vernal equinox. The correlation between the following Passover. By the fourth century, a certain number of years. Depending upon the date of Pascha and the date of Passover is clear. the latter practice prevailed throughout the number of years in the cycle, the full moon oc- Our Lord’s death and resurrection coincided with Church universally; nevertheless, differences curred on the same day of the year as at the be- Passover, thereby assuring a secure point of ref- continued to exist. ginning of the cycle with some exceptions. The erence in time. This assurance lasted, however, more accurate the cycle, the less frequent were only for a short time. the exceptions. In the East, a nineteen-year cycle 1 2 3.
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