Orthodox and Catholic leaders seek unified Easter celebration

Efforts to align the celebration of Easter between Orthodox and Catholic Christians continue to drive inter-church dialogue. Following previous joint celebrations and meetings in Bithynia, there is high expectation for a unified liturgical calendar in the future.

While the two denominations will celebrate Easter together again on April 16, 2028, the 2027 celebrations will see a significant divergence. In 2027, the Orthodox Easter falls on May 2, while the Catholic Easter is on March 28, resulting in a 35-day difference.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew remains optimistic about reaching a consensus for a common celebration, noting that there is mutual goodwill. He has previously characterized the separate celebration of the Resurrection of the same Lord as a ‘scandal’.