Posted on 11/04/2012 2:22:43 PM PST by marshmallow
November 4, 2012. (Romereports.com) In 1582 Pope Gregory XIII adopted the current Gregorian calendar, which is used in most parts of the world. This calendar actually replaced the Julian calendar which was approved by Julius Cesar during his reign.
Despite the replacement, some in the Orthodox Church still use the Julian calendar. In places like the Holy Land, where Catholics and Orthodox live together, this reality can pose a problem.
FR. PIERBATTISTA PIZZABALLA
Custodian of the Holy Land
“Ecumenism in the Holy Land is not a theological problem, is a pastoral problem. Because all families are mixed families. One part is Orthodox and another Catholic. So we have two different calendars: the Gregorian calendar and the Julian calendar for families.”
As a gesture in favor of unity, the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem has decided to modify its liturgical schedule in 2013 to that of the Orthodox. That means Easter in the Holy Land will be celebrated on May 5th next year instead of March 31. There is an exception though. Both have agreed that Jerusalem and Bethlehem will not follow the new calendar.
(Excerpt) Read more at romereports.com ...
WHAT!!!
You do realize that this is not just a matter of adjusting the date of Easter. People where killed over it back in the day.
Read some history. The date of Easter was a point of contention between the Irish and Romano English Christians.
Well this does not surprise me. I do believe it is a sign that in time, Christians have to begin to address once and for all the need to have a “unified” Easter date so as to be much more united as believers in Jesus, the risen Lord. It is a scandal to have two seperate dates when you think of it.
There are no Irish or “Romano English Christians” in the Holy Land. The only issue here is that ONCE AGAIN it is the Catholics who are making the attempt to reconcile with the Orthodox. The Orthodox never do a damn thing to help.
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