www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall A common date for Easter when???

As with any viewpoint there's an opposing one. This article has a rebuttal of the letter written by Archbishop Peter.

http://www.orthodoxinfo.com/ecumenism/firecsyn.pdf

The way I look at it is the church took in to account what Nicaea said about calculations based on the moon, but then took those and put them in a fixed cycle which is no longer connected to the cycles of the moon. That is why what we go by is the 19 year paschal full moon cycle. That was done in accordance with the councils other prescriptions about when Pascha should be celebrated which I think are equally important. There would be uniformity only if everyone not only followed the same calendar, but the same ecclesiastiacal full moon calculation cycle; i.e. not only the same calendar but the same Paschalion.

The calculation of Pascha, its cycles, the calendar and the interrelation with the Typikon are in my mind all of course not without possibility of change; but have become in my mind fixtures of the tradition of the church to which deviation from has caused nothing but problems.

I do not support the idea of any changes to the Paschalion or the Calendar. I support the stance of my parish which is that all feasts are celebrated according to the Julian Calendar, in accord with the vast majority of Orthodox Christians worldwide.

Podkarpatski,

One thing history has taught us is that a schism of such magnitude as the "East-West" schism took a long time to develop, and will take a long time to undo. Thus, any step in the direction of unity should be seen as a step closer to the goal, and that would include agreement on a common date for Pascha.

FWIW, I don't think either side will be willing to yield on this issue until

• we're really at a point where this is the only remaining obstacle to unity, and
• both sides still want unity that badly.

If we take the "glass is half empty" approach, we will never get there.


Peace,
Deacon Richard

I've read through this link several times and cannot see that a coherent point is being made regarding "...and not with the Jews." What is he saying?

Dn. Anthony

Ditto!

This is a perspective that is your (plural) prerogative, as it is that of "the vast majority of Orthodox Christians worldwide." You are certainly entitled to that.

To be clear, however, you are then not entitled to say that you thereby observe Pascha in accordance with the accepted standard put forth by Nicea I: that Pascha is intended to be the Sunday after the first full moon after the northern hemisphere vernal equinox. That is, you and "the vast majority of Orthodox Christians worldwide" and others who follow the Julian calendar determine Pascha by a dating method that usually predicts a date that differs from that determined according to the specifications in accordance with Nicea I.

Dn. Anthony

Sorry to contradict, but I am rather well convinced that in three weeks I shall indeed be celebrating Pascha according to the rules of the Council of Nicea.

Fr. Serge

Fr. Serge,

Are you saying that in three weeks you are "well convinced" that on the Sunday you celebrate Pascha it will indeed be the (immediate) Sunday after the first full moon after the northern hemisphere vernal equinox?

Dn. Anthony

I follow the Metonic cycle laid down by the Council of Nicaea as the approved method of calculating the date of Pascha. In addition to using the same calendar as the council itself.

I think you are absolutely right. It doesn't matter to me if Easter is celebrated in August. It's never been an actual anniversary date to begin with. Maybe having the same date for both means east and west could move on to disputing other trivial items. East and west are ensnared in endless debate while the Muslims take over. Now there's cause for real concern.

You do indeed. Again, what you do not do this year, as most years, and eventually will never do, is observe Pascha on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the N. vernal equinox. That is, you do not observe Pascha in relation to the same sequence of celestial events that occurred at the time of the Passion and Resurrection of Christ. It is the observance of that sequence of natural events (and not adherence to an inaccurate man-made solar calendar and a deficient lunar-phase algorithm, each of which has a significant accumulating error) that, I believe, Nicea wanted to give Christians as the standard for the yearly celebration of the Resurrection.

Dn. Anthony

The Church at the time of First Ecumenical Council of Nicea cared. To say "It's never been an actual anniversary date to begin with" indicates a misunderstanding or lack of appreciation of the issues.

Dn. Anthony

I wholeheartedly agree with byzanTN. the fact that obe honors the Resurrection of our LORD Jesus Christ is the issue. I know Chrisitians who see every Sunday as Resurrection Day of our LORD. remember, boys and girls, there are Liberals out there who may pointedly observe the Western Paschal day, but hold that the Resurrection is a myth, a symbol, whatever, and not a historical reality.Easter, for them, is about springtime, flowers popping out of the ground (and I dare say some of them are popping out of the ground LOL)and other such rubbish. so who cares indeed. get over it, people. the fact the Jesus Christ was raised from the dead is what gives us hope for Eternity, that makes Good Friday meaningful.
Much Love,
Jonn

If we are willing to do that with the central feast, then what of the others? Do we need a yearly cycle of feasts at all? Or shall we all get together and just flip a coin, roll dice etc. to determine our celebrations?

Dn. Anthony

And who are the Christians who don't?

are you just in a cranky mood, Deacon Anthony?
Much Love,
Jonn