- Feb 5, 2002
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Can Nicaea again bring Christian unity?
A common date for Easter between East and West as a sign of Christian unity — how far are Christians from this ideal?
This initiative has received a renewed breath of life as Catholics recently celebrated their Easter Sunday on April 4, and Orthodox Christians are preparing for their Easter on May 2. Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, and Orthodox Archbishop Job Getcha of Telmessos have agreed to work to find a common date to celebrate Easter and give united witness to Christ’s Resurrection.
Archbishop Getcha suggested that the year 2025, which coincides with the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325) and during which the Eastern and Western Church will celebrate Easter on the same day — April 20 — might be an opportune time to reform the calendar.
The difference in the date the Eastern and Western Churches celebrate Easter has to do with two different calendars, the time and date of the spring equinox, and the full moon.
Continued below.
Catholics and Orthodox Are Closer Than Ever to a Common Date for Easter
A common date for Easter between East and West as a sign of Christian unity — how far are Christians from this ideal?
This initiative has received a renewed breath of life as Catholics recently celebrated their Easter Sunday on April 4, and Orthodox Christians are preparing for their Easter on May 2. Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, and Orthodox Archbishop Job Getcha of Telmessos have agreed to work to find a common date to celebrate Easter and give united witness to Christ’s Resurrection.
Archbishop Getcha suggested that the year 2025, which coincides with the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (A.D. 325) and during which the Eastern and Western Church will celebrate Easter on the same day — April 20 — might be an opportune time to reform the calendar.
The difference in the date the Eastern and Western Churches celebrate Easter has to do with two different calendars, the time and date of the spring equinox, and the full moon.
Continued below.
Catholics and Orthodox Are Closer Than Ever to a Common Date for Easter