Episcopal Press and News

Mideast Christian Churches Near Common Date for Easter

Episcopal News Service. April 4, 1991 [91094E]

Middle East Christians are nearing agreement on a common date for Easter, according to the four presidents of the Middle East Council of Churches. A shared Easter may come as early as next year, said Anglican Bishop Samir Kafity, Eastern Orthodox Patriarch Ignatius IV, Oriental Orthodox (Syrian) Patriarch Ignatius Zacca I Iwas, and Roman Catholic (Maronite) Archbishop Youssef Khoury. The variance in Easter dates stems from different methods in calculating the date, traditionally determined with reference to the phases of the moon and the advent of the spring equinox. This year, for example, the two dates for Easter are March 31 and April 7.