杏MAP导航 sends Paschal greetings on Julian calendar Easter
By Nathan Morley and Christopher Wells
鈥淲ith great affection, I offer my best wishes to our brothers and sisters in the Orthodox Churches and various Eastern Catholic Churches who celebrate the Holy Pasch today, in accordance with the Julian calendar,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis said on Sunday.
Eastern Christians, including Eastern Rite Catholic and Orthodox believers in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East are celebrating Easter today, according to a calculation based on the Julian, rather than the Gregorian calendar. 鈥淛ulian鈥� Easter (sometimes referred to as 鈥淥rthodox Easter鈥�) therefore normally falls later than 鈥淕regorian鈥� Easter, although the dates will occasionally coincide, as will occur in 2025.
Speaking at the Regina Coeli in St Peter鈥檚 Square, the Holy Father prayed 鈥渕ay the Risen Lord fill all the communities with joy and peace, and comfort those who are facing adversity.鈥�
鈥淗appy Easter to them!鈥�
鈥楴o to war, yes to dialogue!鈥�
杏MAP导航 Francis also took the occasion, once again, to ask for continued prayers for 鈥渢ormented鈥� Ukraine, and for Palestine and Israel 鈥� and specifically, that 鈥渄ialogue may be strengthened and bear good fruit.鈥�
鈥淣o to war!鈥� he exclaimed. 鈥淵es to dialogue!鈥�
Julian Easter around the world
On Saturday evening, an important part of Easter celebrations in the Holy Land, the 鈥淗oly Fire鈥� appeared in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Orthodox Christians believe that the 鈥淗oly Fire鈥� appears at Easter in the church as a result of a Divine intervention, and regard the event as miraculous.
Given the delicate security situation in region, and following meetings with Israeli police, clergy in charge of the 2024 event ruled that no more than 4200 people could attend the event at the church, which sits in the heart of the old city.
鈥淐hristos anesti! Christ is risen!鈥�
In many towns across the Mediterranean, bonfires were lit on Saturday evening after midnight services.
In the Greek Orthodox and Coptic churches, worshippers greet one another with, 鈥淐hristos anesti鈥�, which translates to 鈥淐hrist is Risen鈥�, followed by the reply 'Alithos anesti', meaning: 鈥淗e has indeed risen!鈥�
In a message to Greeks abroad, the Greek Foreign Minister, Giorgios Kotsiras, said Easter sent a unique message to the whole world: 鈥淭he triumph of Life over Death. For us Christians, this message is a source of joy and hope. The Resurrection expresses the defeat of darkness, the opening of the heart to our fellow man鈥�.
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