www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Question about the calendar

I was under the impression that according to the Julian calendar Easter always coincides with the Jewish Passover. So, this year Easter in the Eastern Churches should be this weekend. Obviously it is not. Can someone please explain this?

Kali Anastasi

Paul,

I believe the canon that formulates the date of Pascha reads the Pacha falls the Sunday after the first full moon, after the vernal equinox, not to coincide with the passover. Also the date is formulated in accordance with the Julian calendar, that is why some years it falls very late.

Kali Anastasi

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

Father bless!

If the Last Supper was a Sader (correct me if I'm wrong) then shouldn't Easter and Passover always be on the same week?

Paul

Paul,

Here is an article that may be of help.

Pascha Date [goarch.org]

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

According to the Eastern rule, Pascha must fall after 14 Nisan, the first day of the Jewish Passover but not coincide with it. Meaning it can not fall with in the eight days of the Jewish Passover.

Dear Father Deacon,

That is why we of the Old Calendar/Reformed Julian Calendar are doing it correctly, and those who follow the Gregorian calendar are not!

But we are both serving the Lord - you are doing it your way, and we are doing it . . . His way!

A happy Pascha!

Alex

Dear Friends,

Let's also not forget the quartodecimans, Christians who ALWAYS celebrated Pascha on the very date of the Jewish Passover or the 14th day of the month of Nisan, whenever it occurred (i.e. not always on a Sunday).

Also, Celtic Christians had a different calculation for Easter and we know that in old Christian Britain, Roman and Celtic Christians would "break the Great Fast" on different days to celebrate Pascha.

Let's have one date for Easter (the one that the Ecumenical Councils don't condemn . . . ).

Alex

Alex,

So what does one do when the churches in your area all celebrate according to the new calendar and you long for the old?

pavlo

Dear Pavle,

Then, when in Rome . . . do as the Latins do!

I do NOT believe it should be something to cause a schism over.

And I get very HOT under the collar when I learn about all my religion students who follow the old calendar, but whose parents work and don't observe the services on the pretext of being faithful to the old calendar (up here, Great Friday is a holiday for mostly everyone).

The Orthodox Church of Finland follows the paschalia on the Gregorian Calendar.

I have yet to hear that it has fallen into heresy, adopted the Filioque or else have taken to uncontrollable utterings in favour of the Pope of Rome for having so done.

Our focus on Christ is what should be the ultimate standard here and I think our Lord will more readily forgive us for having followed the "wrong" paschalion rather than not having truly observed any which one.

A happy Pascha, Pavle!

Alex

Alex,

I am one who doesn't care about the calendar either way. But in total honesty neither is doing it right. The Jews have changed how they calculate their Passover since Jesus' time. If we are concerned about celebrating Pascha after Passover then we should at least be following the method Christ used. Nobody does, so in my opinion nobody should be claiming they are true to Nicea, at least completely.

Fr. Deacon Lance

Dear Father Deacon,

Shhhh!

I'm trying to be ecumenical on the calendar thing, and am watching the Papal Mass of the Last Supper at St John Lateran on EWTN . . .

Keep it down please!

Dominus Vobiscum!

Alex

Dear Alex,
Et cum spiritu tuo. I watched both Papal Masses today - and was delighted to note that at both Masses Benedict XVI chanted the Institution Narrative. I can't remember how long it's been since I've heard a Latin priest do that. Now if only some more would follow his good example. .

Incognitus

Wrong!

When in Rome . . . spend your time at the Russicum!

Oυτις ημιν φιλει ου φροντιδα | Nemo Nos Diliget Non Curamus

Dear Incognitus,

Yes, the Institution Narrative . . .

Something about an angel . . . and, oh yes, St Alexander was mentioned . . .

Alex

Dear Incognitus and Kobzar,

How wide-spread is the rite of washing of feet?

We have a priest, a doctor of theology from Rome no less, who is against it.

But the Pope does it - I saw him do it today.

Alex