Thursday, April 17, 2025

WCC NEWS: WCC invites all to support vision for common Easter date

World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, in a video message, invites all to support the vision for a common Easter date among Christians from all church traditions.
WCC invites all to support vision for common Easter date
17 April 2025

This year, Easter falls on 20 April for Eastern and Western churches. 

“Since the 16th century, Eastern and Western churches have used different calendars to calculate the date of Easter, and only rarely do they coincide,” says Pillay. "This year, however, in a rare and beautiful convergence, Eastern and Western churches will proclaim together on that very same day the central mystery of our faith: Christ is risen!”

The year also marks the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.

“As we commemorate the 1700th anniversary of this historic council, this alignment of Easter dates feels more than coincidental,” says Pillay. “It feels providential—a sign of hope and unity in our time.”

The WCC has published a new document: Towards a Common Date for Easter. 

“Drawing on the voices of Oriental, Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant theologians, this paper encourages churches to engage in dialogue and cooperation within their own contexts,” explains Pillay. “A common celebration of Easter, the most important feast in the Christian calendar, is a powerful symbol of visible unity.”

Pillay warmly invites people in their own contexts to support this vision. “May it inspire you to join in the effort to advocate for a common Easter date—so that, in the not-too-distant future, Christians around the world may proclaim, each year, on the very same day and with one voice: The Lord is risen!"

“Christians, rise up in joy!” WCC Easter message brings hope that enters a broken world

WCC publishes Faith and Order paper encouraging churches to work for common celebration of Easter

Full publication: Towards a Common Date for Easter

WCC “Faith and Order Update” available

Faith and Order Update – April 2025

WCC Easter message 2025 

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The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.

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