[Apologetics] Catholic Easter this weekend

Wed Apr 23 17:27:46 EDT 2008

Hi
  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.
No, not whenever they want - but on one of the two dates used, as the patriarch sees fit in conjunction with his Orthodox counterpart.  So the Maronites are stuck with the Gregorian calendar, as are any individual Eastern Churches with Orthodox counterparts that use the Gregorian calendar, such as, possibly, the Indians.  The first part of #19 seems more restrictive, but it could be read 2 ways.  Only a council or Rome may transfer Easter for ALL Eastern Churches, but within one Church Easter may be held at either accepted time.  A less obvious reading, yes, but Rome is happy with what is done, and it seems fine in light of #20.

The Armenian Orthodox, mentioned in the original article as celebrating Easter this coming weekend, are one denomination with two Easters - the only one, as far as I know, amongst the non-Catholic Easterners.  There are three patriarchates within the Armenian Orthodox, and only Jerusalem uses the Julian date, which explains the nitwits attacking each other now, while http://www.armenianchurch.org/, which falls under the Etchmiadzin Patriarchate, shows them having kept Easter already [along with the Cilicians, the third Patriarchate.]  The two adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1920; Jerusalem remained with the rest of the Orthodox in Jerusalem.

The Syrian Orthodox are having Easter this coming weekend, while the Malankara Orthodox had Easter with us; since they fall under the Syrian Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, but are also somewhat different, I don't know if they can be called "one local Church."  I'll ask them.

God bless,
Stephen
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Dianne Dawson 
  To: Stephen Korsman ; Apologetics Group 
  Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 11:58 PM
  Subject: Re: [Apologetics] Catholic Easter this weekend

  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:
      1.. 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. 
      2.. 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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