In a historic step toward Christian unity, the Ecumenical Patriarchate has proposed a unified annual celebration of Easter for Orthodox and Catholic Christians, starting in 2025.
The proposal, issued after a meeting of the Patriarchate’s hierarchy, seeks to make this shared observance a lasting tradition, rather than an occasional coincidence.
In its official statement, the Patriarchate expressed a unanimous desire for the 2025 Easter—when both Churches will celebrate on the same date—to serve as the foundation for permanently unifying the celebration of Christianity’s most important holiday.
“The common celebration of Easter by Eastern and Western Christendom in the coming year should not be viewed as a mere coincidence, but as the beginning of establishing a unified date for Easter every year, in accordance with our Orthodox Church’s Passover,” the statement declared.
This year’s rare alignment of Easter, set for April 20, 2025, presents a unique chance to strengthen ties between the two branches of Christianity. The Vatican’s reaction is highly anticipated, as this proposal could pave the way for resolving the centuries-old differences in calculating Easter between the Eastern Orthodox and Western Christian Churches.
(Source: To Vima)