While serving at another congregation, I once asked a priest in our interfaith clergy group to explain why his Greek Orthodox Church celebrated Easter on a later Sunday than other Christian traditions. His deadpan answer: they celebrate the resurrection after us because they receive a tremendous discount on leftover flowers from neighborhood florists. So, there you have it!
A more serious theologian might have offered an academic response, but I loved his answer. I still share it whenever the question comes up. Since Orthodox Easter is this coming Sunday, and we celebrated the open tomb just days ago, I am once again ready with an answer.
Aside from the discounted floral theory, the real explanation involves the calendars we follow. In 325, bishops gathered for the First Ecumenical Council at Nicaea. Among their decisions was that Easter would be celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox. That became the common practice for centuries.
However, in 1582, Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar to correct inaccuracies in the older Julian calendar. (And you thought naming things after yourself was a modern habit!) Western churches adopted this reform, but most Eastern Orthodox churches continued to calculate Easter using the Julian calendar. In addition, Orthodox tradition requires that Easter fall after Passover, which can further affect the date.
As a result, Easter dates often differ, though occasionally they align. That happened in 2025 and will occur again in 2028. So thankfully, we will not have to wait until the year 2698, another time it will happen!
Our Orthodox friends might view our celebration as an early observance, but together we rejoice in the same resurrection of our Lord. The joy of Easter continues, especially as we enter the Second Sunday of Easter.
This Sunday is sometimes called “Low Sunday.” It marks the conclusion of the eight-day celebration known as the Octave of Easter—a quieter moment after the great festival. Practically speaking, it is also known for lighter attendance and, in some places, a well-earned breather for pastors and musicians.
But this Sunday, April 12, at 9:30 AM, I will be energetically presiding at worship, joined by our ever-inspirational choir as we continue to celebrate the risen Christ. As part of our ongoing Eastertide observance, we will also include healing and anointing.
Join us for the low down!
Blessings,
Pastor Marc
