[Apologetics] Catholic Easter this weekend

Tue Apr 22 17:58:01 EDT 2008

Hi Stephen,

I believe all the paragraphs in the section need to be considered, not just the one paragraph:
DIVINE WORSHIP  19. It belongs only to an ecumenical council or to the Apostolic See to  determine, transfer or suppress feast days common to all the Eastern  Churches. On the other hand, to determine, transfer or suppress the feast  days of any of the individual churches is within the competence not only  of the Apostolic See but also of the patriarchal or archiepiscopal synod,  due regard being had to the whole area and the other individual  churches.[24]
  20. Until such time as all Christians are agreed on a fixed day for the  celebration of Easter, with a view meantime to promoting unity among the  Christians of the same area or nation, it is left to the patriarchs or  supreme authorities of a place to come to an agreement by the unanimous  consent and combined counsel of those affected to celebrate the feast of  Easter on the same Sunday.[25]
  21. Individual faithful dwelling outside the area or territory of their  own rite may follow completely the established custom of the place where  they live as regards the law of the sacred seasons. In families of mixed  rite it is permissible to observe this law according to one and the same  rite.[26]
  22. Eastern clerics and Religious should celebrate in accordance with  the prescriptions and traditions of their own established custom the  Divine Office, which from ancient times has been held in high honor in all  Eastern Churches.[27] The faithful too should follow the example of their  forebears and assist devoutly as occasion allows at the Divine Office.
  23. It belongs to the patriarch with his synod, or to the supreme  authority of each church with the council of the hierarchs, to regulate  the use of languages in the sacred liturgical functions and, after  reference to the Apostolic See, of approving translations of texts into  the vernacular.[28] 
Are you saying that paragraph 20 authorizes Eastern Rite churches can celebrate Easter whenever they want?  If so, I don't read it the same way at all - especially taking into account #19 & 20.

Dianne

Stephen Korsman <skorsman at theotokos.co.za> wrote:       Hi

 Regarding Catholics keeping "Orthodox"  Easter:

 DECREE ON THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES 
OF THE EASTERN  RITE
ORIENTALIUM ECCLESIARUM
SOLEMNLY  PROMULGATED BY HIS HOLINESS
POPE PAUL VI
ON NOVEMBER 21, 1964

 20. Until such time as all Christians are agreed on a fixed day for the  celebration of Easter, with a view meantime to promoting unity among the  Christians of the same area or nation, it is left to the patriarchs or supreme  authorities of a place to come to an agreement by the unanimous consent and  combined counsel of those affected to celebrate the feast of Easter on the same  Sunday.(25)

 (25) Cfr. Syn. Vaticana II Const. De Sacra Liturgia, 4 dec. 1963.

 I don't know what Const. De Sacra Liturgia  is; Orientalium Ecclesiarum, however, is a Vatican II  document.

 CONSTITUTION 
ON THE SACRED LITURGY 
SACROSANCTUM CONCILIUM 
SOLEMNLY PROMULGATED BY  
HIS HOLINESS
POPE PAUL VI 
ON DECEMBER 4, 1963

 This matches the "Const. De Sacra Liturgia" name in  Latin, but why footnote it as that and not "Sacrosanctum  Concilium"?

 The closest I can get to anything in it relevant to  the date of Easter is a statement of non-objection to using a fixed Sunday every  year, or similar:

   The Sacred Council would not object if the feast of Easter were assigned    to a particular Sunday of the Gregorian Calendar, provided that those whom it    may concern, especially the brethren who are not in communion with the    Apostolic See, give their assent.    
   The sacred Council likewise declares that it does not oppose efforts    designed to introduce a perpetual calendar into civil society.  

 Referenes - both can be found linked  from http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/index.htm

 God bless,
 Stephen
    ----- Original Message ----- 
   From:    Art    Kelly 
   To: Apologetics Group ; Jim Murphy    ; Michele    Allen 
   Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 11:45    PM
   Subject: [Apologetics] Greek and Amenian    Christians clash at Jesus' tomb on Orthodox Palm Sunday

                             Greek and Amenian          Christians clash at Jesus' tomb on Orthodox Palm Sunday          

                                    By SARAH EL DEEB, Associated Press WriterSun Apr 20,          3:49 PM ET

         Dozens of Greek and Armenian priests and worshippers exchanged blows          at one of Christianity's holiest shrines on Orthodox Palm Sunday, and          used palm fronds to pummel police who tried to break up the brawl.

         The fight came amid growing rivalry over religious rights at the          Church of the Holy Sepulcher, built over the site in Jerusalem where          tradition says Jesus was buried and resurrected.

         It erupted when Armenian clergy kicked out a Greek priest from their          midst, pushed him to the ground and kicked him, according to          witnesses.

         When police intervened, some worshippers hit them with the palm          fronds they were holding for the religious holiday. The Eastern Orthodox          churches, including the Armenians and Greek Orthodox, follow a different          calendar from Western Christians and celebrate Easter next Sunday.

         Two Armenian worshippers who attacked the Greek Orthodox clergy were          briefly detained by Israeli police. Scores of Armenian supporters then          protested outside the police station during the questioning of the two,          beating drums and chanting.

         The full article is at
         http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080420/ap_on_re_mi_ea/israel_clashing_christians;_ylt=ArhCBfrxSspUF4DKLvTiheOs0NUE

         Art

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