The year 2025 marks a significant milestone in the history of Christianity, specifically related to the First Ecumenical Council.

This gathering of Christian bishops took place in 325 AD in Nicaea, which is now modern-day İznik, Turkey.

Among many important decisions made during this council, one of the key discussions was determining the method for calculating the date of Easter.

Little did they know, this decision would create centuries of debate that continue to affect Christian communities today.

The Calendar Divide: Catholic vs Orthodox Traditions

Over the years, changes to the calendar have led to noticeable differences in the way Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox churches calculate important dates like Easter.

While Latin-rite Catholics follow the Gregorian calendar—implemented by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582—the Orthodox Church maintains its tradition of using the Julian calendar.

This divide has created a noticeable rift in the way each church celebrates key events in the liturgical year.

Challenges in Changing the Calendar

The shift from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar was not an easy one.

It started with Pope Gregory’s reforms in the late 16th century, but it wasn’t until the 20th century that some Orthodox churches adopted the new system, in 1923.

Kostas Mygdalis, a consultant for the Orthodox Interparliamentary Assembly (IOA), reflected on the difficulties of this transition in an interview with ACI Prensa, noting the controversies it caused among both religious communities and state authorities.

These tensions, he explained, resulted in deepened divisions that still echo today.

A Step Toward Unity: Pasqua Together 2025

Despite the long-standing differences, there have been efforts to find common ground.

One such initiative is Pasqua Together 2025, an interfaith working group aimed at promoting a unified celebration of Easter between Orthodox and Catholics.

Mygdalis, a key figure in this group, explained that the goal is to bring the two branches of Christianity together on one common date for Easter.

This year, Pope Francis expressed his hope for an agreement on this matter during a meeting with the members of Pasqua Together 2025.

His desire for unity reflects a deep wish to bridge the gap between these long-separated traditions and to celebrate the central event of the Christian faith on a shared day.

The debate over the date of Easter may be centuries old, but it’s clear that the desire for unity remains strong as the two largest branches of Christianity work toward reconciliation in this vital aspect of their shared faith.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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