Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Advocates for Common Pascha Date with Western Christians

OCP News Service – 04/09/2024

Constantinople – Turkey: His Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has called for a common date for the celebration of Pascha (Easter) between the Orthodox and Western Christian Churches. Speaking at the Synaxis of the Hierarchy of the Ecumenical Throne, Patriarch Bartholomew emphasized that the upcoming 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea provides a unique opportunity to establish a unified Paschalion.

The Synaxis, which took place from September 1-3 in Istanbul, brought together dozens of hierarchs from around the world. In his concluding speech, Patriarch Bartholomew highlighted the significance of the Council of Nicaea and its role in defining the core doctrines of Christianity.

The Synaxis issued a statement supporting Patriarch Bartholomew’s proposal and calling for further dialogue and cooperation between the Orthodox and Western Christian Churches.

Key Points:

• Common Pascha Date: Patriarch Bartholomew advocates for a unified Paschalion for both Orthodox and Western Christians.
• 1700th Anniversary of Nicaea: The upcoming celebration of this anniversary provides a unique opportunity for establishing a common date.
• Synaxis Support: The Synaxis of the Hierarchy of the Ecumenical Throne unanimously supports Patriarch Bartholomew’s proposal.
• Orthodox Paschalion: The Orthodox Church’s Paschalion, based on the Julian calendar, should be the basis for the common date.
• Dialogue and Cooperation: The Synaxis calls for further dialogue and cooperation between the Orthodox and Western Christian Churches.

Additional Points from the Synaxis Decision:

• The Synaxis discussed other important issues facing the Orthodox Church, including the war in Ukraine, the use of artificial intelligence, and the spiritual needs of young people.
• The Synaxis condemned the Russian Patriarchate’s invasion of the canonical territory of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and expressed support for the Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
• The Synaxis emphasized the importance of maintaining unity and cooperation among the Orthodox Churches.

The Synaxis of the Hierarchy of the Ecumenical Throne is a significant event for the Orthodox Church, bringing together leaders from around the world to discuss important issues and chart a course for the future. The decision to advocate for a common Pascha date is a major step towards greater unity between the Orthodox and Western Christian Churches.

Source:
OCP News Service