Divided Christians, Separate Easters - by Thomas FitzGerald

There will be two celebrations of Easter this year!

For most Roman Catholics and Protestants, Easter (2005) will be celebrated on March 27th. But, for most Orthodox as well as some Roman Catholics and Protestants in the Middle East, Easter will be celebrated on May 1st.  Since the sixteenth century, these differences have resulted chiefly from the use of either the older and less accurate Julian calendar or the Gregorian calendar.  In some years, such as in 2001 and 2004, the different methods of calculation lead to a common date. The next time this will happen will be in 2007. In other years, such as this year, the dates are as much as five weeks apart.  Differences in setting the yearly date of Easter existed even in the post-Apostolic Church. The early Christians recognized the Resurrection of Christ to be the most important event in his life and the very center of the Gospel message.

The Council of Nicaea, 325

The Council of Nicaea determined that Easter would be observed by the entire church on the same Sunday. The formula proposed that Pascha would be celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon after the spring equinox.  Yet, the Council’s formula was generally accepted throughout the church by the seventh century.  An important consensus had been expressed by the Council of Nicaea. There was a profound recognition that the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ should not be a cause of division among Christians. The historic event of the Resurrection of Christ was a powerful expression of the Father’s love, and of the divine victory over the powers of sin, Satan and death. The Resurrection was an affirmation both of God’s victory and of God’s gift of reconciliation in Christ. Thus, the event of the Resurrection of Christ was at the heart of the faith and mission of the Church as well as the New Testament witness and Christian worship.

More Recent Divisions

The present differences in calculating Easter Sunday in advance each year reflects the tragic divisions among the Christian churches. As a consequence of these divisions, the Easter date is used in some places as an expression of distinction and difference among the Christian churches. The insight of the Council of Nicaea seems to be forgotten especially in places where historic tensions between the Christian traditions are ongoing.

Two Celebrations This Year

The difficulties surrounding the date of Easter Sunday will be especially prominent this year. Most Orthodox Christians will be observing the Feast of the Resurrection five weeks later than most Roman Catholic and Protestants. In many places, families will be divided in their celebrations. In many lands, Christian churches will bear witness to their divisions through these celebrations. In many places, especially where Christians are a minority, their divided celebrations will weaken their witness to all.

The Council of Nicaea recognized the difficulties inherent in such a divided celebration. In emphasizing the importance of a unified celebration, the Council of Nicaea was in fact affirming the deepest meaning of the Resurrection and drawing the churches away from a counter witness of division. In celebrating this "Feast of Feasts," Christians are recalling all the mighty acts of God which are centered upon the death and Resurrection of Christ. The Triune God has acted to restore us to unity with himself, with one another and with the entire creation. The joyous remembrance of the Resurrection of Christ is a celebration of unity and reconciliation.

A solemn and joyous celebration of the Resurrection together by all Christian churches throughout the world can be a powerful witness to the Father’s mighty act in Christ and our faithful response to him in the Spirit.
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Thomas FitzGerald is a priest and theologian in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. He is Professor of Church History and Historical Theology at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts.