Eastern ORTHODOX Observance of EASTER

[MegalosSkylaki]

wil be Next SUNDAY.

Today is the Eastern Orthodox observance of PALM SUNDAY.

The reason for this is historical and relates to the use of different calendars.
Since the Great Schism in Christianity from whence the Western and Eastern Christianity split roughly according the split in the Roman Empire. The See of Rome and the See of Constantinople excommunicated each other. Starting with Vatican II, there have been considerable reconciliation, including the Pope visiting Athens toapologize for some Crusadors pilliging the Greek Orthodox Churches in Middle Ages.

The Western Roman Empire headquartered in Rome and the Eastern Roman Empire headquartered in Constantinople.
There have been several differences between the observance of some religious events including Easter.

The difference between the Roman and Greek obsergvance of Easter is on a four-year cycle. One year they coincide on the same dates. One year the Eastern Orthodox (including Greek Orthodox) is a week later.
Two years the Eastern observance is several weeks later than the Roman observance.

I should note some of the Eastern Orthodox churches maintain a different liturgical calendar than the Greek Orthodox Church. For example observing Christmas in January.

I hope this cliarifies any date misunderstandings regarding Easter which while observed on different dates, I believe is still essentially the same religious veneration.

Happy Easter to all, regardless what date you observe it on.

MegalosSkylaki

[tony_j15]

most interesting.......

[Chuckiechan]

But why do we dye Easter Eggs?

[super gerbil]

Thanks MegalosSkylaki!

[njolakoski]

Happy Easter To All Orthodox and to others who Celebrate Today...

The rest of the Orthodox World, including myself, celebrates next Sunday.