Unified Celebration: Catholics and Orthodox Christians Mark Easter Together

This year, Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox Christians will celebrate Easter on the same date, a rare occurrence that allows travelers in Orthodox-dominated countries like Greece, Russia, Bulgaria, and Cyprus to experience this unified festivity on April 20.

The infrequency of this shared date arises from the differences in the calendars used by these Christian denominations. While the Catholic and Protestant churches adhere to the Gregorian calendar, the Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar, established by Julius Caesar in 45 BC. This discrepancy means that the two calendars are 13 days apart, leading to different dates for Easter celebrations.

Easter is a movable feast, meaning its date varies each year. The method for determining the date was established at the First Council of Nicaea, held 1,700 years ago, where it was decided that all Christians would celebrate Easter on the first Sunday following the first full moon of spring.

In 1582, Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar to correct inaccuracies in the Julian calendar. While many Christian denominations adopted this new calendar, the Orthodox Church has retained the Julian calendar, resulting in continued differences in the celebration of Easter.

This year's shared date is primarily a result of lunar cycles. Both traditions calculate Easter as the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring, but due to the varying start dates for spring in each calendar, joint celebrations are infrequent. In some years, the gap can be as long as several weeks; for instance, last year, Orthodox Christians celebrated Easter on May 5, while Catholics and Protestants observed it on March 31.

There have been ongoing discussions among Christian leaders about establishing a unified date for Easter. Recently, the World Council of Churches (WCC) issued a message advocating for a common Easter celebration, emphasizing that such unity would symbolize reconciliation and a reflection of the oneness for which Christ prayed.

Approximately 350 churches and communities, including Anglican, Protestant, Orthodox, and Old Catholic denominations, are part of the WCC, which supports initiatives like "Pasqua Together," aimed at synchronizing Easter observances across Christian faiths. Pope Francis has expressed strong support for this cause, emphasizing that Easter transcends calendar systems and belongs to Christ.

In the context of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the country has adopted a unique approach to its religious holidays. While it aligned its Christmas celebrations with the west by observing them on December 24 and 25, it continues to follow the ancient Julian calculations for Easter. Consequently, various Orthodox churches in Ukraine, including the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and the Greek Catholic Church, will celebrate Easter on the same date this year.

Easter is the pinnacle of the Christian calendar, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his crucifixion, as described in the New Testament. This event is central to Christian faith, symbolizing victory over death and the promise of eternal life.

In many countries, Easter is marked by unique customs and rituals. In Greece and Cyprus, the celebration is particularly grand, often considered more significant than Christmas. Traditional practices include midnight services on Holy Saturday, where priests announce the resurrection accompanied by fireworks, followed by family feasts on Easter Sunday featuring lamb and red-dyed eggs, symbolizing new life and resurrection.

For many Catholics around the world, the Easter blessing known as "Urbi et Orbi," given by the Pope on Easter Sunday in St. Peter's Square, represents a highlight of the holiday. The Pope's health condition had raised questions about his ability to deliver this blessing this year, underscoring the traditional importance of this event.