Most Christians in the Middle East and Eastern Europe (e.g. Greece, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine) celebrated Easter this weekend (April 14 - April 16), a week later than churches following the Western calendar. As with the date of Christmas, differences over the date of Easter trace back to whether churches use the Gregorian calendar, as most Catholics and Protestants do, or adhere to the Julian calendar along with most Orthodox churches. The date of Easter differs from the date of Christmas in that it is considered a “moveable feast,” which simply means that the date changes from year to year due to a variety of factors. In general, the date of Christmas, whether Western (December 25th) or Eastern (January 7th), is fixed on the same date every year. 

With few exceptions, most churches in Egypt, including Protestants, Anglicans, and most Catholics, tend to follow the date of Easter observed by the Coptic Orthodox Church. The central service for Coptic Orthodox Easter is the Easter Vigil which took place on Saturday evening. The service was led by Pope Tawāḍrūs II in St. Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Cathedral located in ʿAbbāsiyya, Cairo. 

(Pope Tawāḍrūs II leads the Easter Vigil in ʿAbbāsiyya)

In Jerusalem, Christians gathered at the Church of Holy Sepulchre on Saturday evening. Built in the 4th century, the church stands on the site where many Christians believe the tomb of Jesus is located. It has been rebuilt several times since its original construction and is now supervised primarily by the Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Armenian Orthodox Churches. The Syrian, Coptic, and Ethiopian Orthodox Churches also supervise some parts of the property.  It is richly symbolic that aMuslim family in Jerusalem holds the key to the church and is responsible for opening and closing the church. 

(Christians participate in the Holy Fire ceremony in Jerusalem on Saturday night. The photo is taken from above the shrine constructed over the place where many believe the tomb of Christ is located.)

(Ethiopian Orthodox Christians celebrate Easter in Addis Ababa.) 

(Patriarch Kirill leads the Russian Orthodox Easter service in Moscow.) 

Dialogue Across Borders wishes a blessed Easter to all those who are celebrating. In addition, we continue to pray for an end to the devastating Russia-Ukraine war.

All the very best,

Matthew Anderson

Executive Editor

Dialogue Across Borders

April 17, 2023