The Date of Pascha/Easter ~ A Message from Fr. Robert

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1 March Phillips Road, Tallahassee, Florida (850) Rev. Fr. Robert J. O Loughlin The Date of Pascha/Easter ~ A Message from Fr. Robert It is a typical question that we may be asked in most years is why the Orthodox Church celebrates Pascha on a different date from other Christian denominations. This year we celebrate Pascha/Easter one week after most other Christians. So I thought once again that we would touch upon this topic of the calculation of when we celebrate Pascha. Our celebration of Pascha was formed from the Jewish Passover. Initially, those Christians converted from Judaism celebrated Pascha in accordance with the Jewish calendar and on the same date of the feast of Passover. Pascha was celebrated the 14 th of the lunar month of Nisan, regardless of the day of the week upon which it fell. The Churches of Asia Minor followed this practice while other churches in the east and west celebrated the Feast on the Sunday following this date. By the 3 rd century, all the churches were celebrating Pascha on the Sunday following the 14 th of Nisan. This determined the Jewish calculation of Passover, which is on the first full moon following the vernal equinox. However, following the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD the Jews depended on local pagan calendars for their calculation. So with difficulties with inadequate calendars, the issue of the date of Pascha continued. It was resolved in 325 at the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea as the early Church Fathers determined the Pascha date to be the first Sunday after the first full moon of the spring equinox. However, despite the intervention in Nicaea, certain differences in the technicalities of regulating the date of Pascha remained thereafter. This resulted in occasional local variations until, by the 6th century, a more secure mode of calculation based on astronomical data was universally accepted. This was an alternative to calculating Pascha by the Passover and consisted in the creation of so-called "paschal cycles." Each paschal cycle corresponded to a certain number of years. In the East, a 19-year cycle was eventually adopted, whereas in the West an 84-year cycle. The use of two different paschal cycles inevitably gave way to differences between the Eastern and Western Churches regarding the observance of Pascha. According to the decree of the First Ecumenical Synod, the date of Pascha can only occur on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25. However, due to the discrepancy that exists in the Orthodox Church today because of the use of two calen dars, the Julian (Old) and the Gregorian (New), the dates of March 22 and April 25 are superimposed on the new calendar. March 22 in the new calendar is April 3, while April 25 is May 8. This reflects the 13 day difference between the two calendars. In this way all Orthodox Christians celebrate Pascha on the same day, but not on the same date. With the adaptation of the Gregorian calendar in 1582, which adjusted for the more accurate length of the year, differences in the celebration Pascha continued. As various Christian churches have entered into dialogue in the past century, there has been a renewed interest in resolving the issue. Again, the two main points in the Orthodox calculation of Pascha are: 1) the first Sunday after the first full moon of the spring equinox and 2) the first Sunday after the Jewish Passover. As far as the terms that are utilized for the Resurrection of Christ, which are Pascha and Easter, there are questions related to why there are different terms for the Feast of Feasts. Pascha is derived from the Jewish word Pesah which means "Passover". For Christians, Christ was the Paschal Lamb, the fulfillment of all that the Passover had foreshadowed since the first Passover which celebrated the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. We celebrate "Pascha," the New Passover; the victory of the new Paschal Lamb who shed His blood for the salvation of all people. The word Easter is derived from the word Eastra, the name of the goddess of the rising light of day and spring and the annual sacrifices associated with her. Ultimately, it led to mean that Christ, our Light, rose from the grave. In early English translations of the Bible the word Easter was substituted for the word Passover. Even though Easter may be linked to the name of a pagan goddess or ceremonies, the feast which the word describes, is Christian without question. Hence, it is appropriate for us to use the proper term, "Pascha" but as St. Paul warned believers in his day, let us not get dragged down with a dispute about mere words, as stated in 2 Timothy 2:14; "not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers". The important matter is the reality of the Death and Resurrection of Christ. Continued good strength in your Lenten journey. Fr. Robert

2 Page 2 Mark your calendars for the This year's Greek Food Festival is scheduled for Friday, October 2nd and Saturday, October 3rd If an emergency or special need should arise, please contact Fr. Rob immediately at Next Spaghetti Dinners: Friday, May 1st Friday, June 5th Our next ECHO Sundays are Sunday, March 1st, and Sunday, April 5th. Please drop off your non-perishable food donations into the bins located in the Hellenic Center and Patmos Hall. Dear Parishioners, February was a very productive month for our church. The Parish Council addressed a number of important matters while our ministries were successful in meeting their objectives and performing beyond expectations. On February 2, the Parish Council held a joint meeting with the 2015 Festival Booth Chairs. The main purpose of this gathering was to review the overall plan and identify critical aspects of the event. At the end of the same week, on February 6, our Spaghetti Luncheon and Dinner approached record level results. I cannot thank enough our volunteers, especially those above the 80 and 90 years mark, for their continuous support and valuable work toward this ministry and other endeavors of our Church. At the monthly meeting, on February 9, the Parish Council discussed the streamlining of this year's capital improvement projects as well as preventive maintenance and repairs. We are about to embark into an early "Spring Cleaning" effort this year in order to be ready on time for Easter. Volunteers are needed and, as always, we encourage everyone to participate. We are sure, you will be surprised to find out of things you can do for our church! Shortly after the end of the month, we will be entering the Holy Week. Keeping with the tradition, our church plans a pancake breakfast on Saturday of Lazarus, a fish luncheon on Palm Sunday, Avgolemono soup on Great Saturday night and the Paschal Glendi with lamb dinner after the Agape Service on Easter Sunday. Wishing you a Wonderful Great Lent Journey! Καλή Σαρακοστή, Pete Koikos MARCH 22, 2015 Following Divine Liturgy CELEBRATION OF THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE THEOTOKOS AND GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY Luncheon ADULTS... $12.00 For STUDENTS and CHILDREN is FREE Grilled Shrimp over Rice Cole slaw, Bread, Coffee, Tea and Dessert Sponsored by AHEPA AHEPA News The annual AHEPA Valentine's party was held on Saturday February 14. Many thanks to all the volunteers. In particular, Jimmy Koikos, Mike Papageorge, Dennis Cassidy, Richard Allen and Manny Joanos for the delicious meal, and Stelios Manias for attending the bar. Also, Sally Papageorge and her helpers for the beautiful decorations and for organizing the raffle. We hope that everyone will join us on Sunday, March 22 to celebrate the Annunciation of Theotokos and the Greek Independence Day. The next AHEPA meeting will be on March 15 after the Holy Liturgy. Mike Burmester, President

3 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sunday of Orthodoxy No Church School Church School GOYA Mtg. 6:00 p.m. Sunday of the Holy Cross No Church School Church School Greek Independence Day Celebration Parish Council Mtg. 5:30 p.m OCF Meeting Pre-Sanctified Liturgy Followed by Lenten Covered Dish Oratorical Festival 11 + Pre-Sanctified Liturgy Followed by Lenten Covered Dish 18 + Pre-Sanctified Liturgy Followed by Lenten Covered Dish Philoptochos Mtg. 6:00 p.m. 6 + Salutations to the Theotokos 13 + Salutations to the Theotokos Salutations to the Theotokos Great Vespers 5 p.m Great Vespers 5 p.m District Oratorical Festival in St. Augustine Page 3 25 g 29 s = Fish Allowed Church School 30 + Parish Council Mtg. 5:30 p.m ANNUNCIATION of the Theotokos Divine Liturgy 9 am Salutations to the Theotokos 28 Pangari Schedule for March *Denotes a 9:30 start time Great Vespers 5 p.m. 03/08/15 - Joanos*/Gorb/Eudy(c) 03/15/15 - Gorb/*/Fetzko/Mathis(c) 03/2215/ - Joanos*/Perrigan/Branch(c) 03/29/15 - Manias*/Koikos/Joanos(c) 04/05/15 - Mathis*/Eudy/Koikos(c) Calendar Symbol Key + = Strict Fast = Wine and Oil allowed = Dairy & eggs allowed = Father Away MARCH 2015

4 Page 4 Upcoming events Sun Mar. 8th GOYA Mtg. Sun Mar. 22nd Youth Sunday Sat. Apr. 4th - Lazarus Saturday Pancake Breakfast Fri Sat Apr. 24th -25th Trip to Wild Adventures GOYAns packing IOCC emergency kits February Meeting Next OCF Meeting March 16th February Meeting The St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival will be March 4, 2015, following Presanctified Liturgy. Elementary Division (local festival only) for students in grades 4 6 Junior Division for students in grades 7 9 Senior Division for student in grades Daylight Saving Time Remember to turn your clocks forward 1 hour on Sunday, March 8, 2:00 am or before going to sleep!

5 Page 5 Easter Candy It would be greatly appreciated if anyone would like to donate individually wrapped candy (nonchocolate) or plastic eggs for the children s Easter egg hunt. Please drop off at the church office. Lilies for Pascha If you would like to donate an Easter Lily plant ($15.00) in memory of a loved one, please complete the form that is located in the Narthex or church office and return to church office by Friday, April 3rd. The May Reflections and the weekly handout will list the names you submit of those to be memorialized. Saturday of Lazarus Community Pancake Breakfast (Hosted by GOYA) Saturday, April 4th following Divine Liturgy at 9:00 a.m. Palm-folding and fellowship Craft table for children Fish Luncheon following Liturgy Adults $14.00 Children & Students $8.00 Children under 10 no charge If your daughters, 1 st thru 6 th grades, are interested in being Myrrh-bearing girls, please let the church office know at Dear Parishioners and friends, Again, this year, our church will celebrate commencement of the Holy Week and Easter with a fish luncheon on Palm Sunday and the traditional lamb dinner on Easter Sunday. As always, the food will be delicious and bountiful. We want to be fully prepared and make sure that we have plenty for everyone and a little more. Please let us know if you, and how many, will be attending by completing the form below and place it in the box located in the Narthex or give it to a Parish Council Member or the church office. THANK YOU! Palm Sunday Luncheon & Easter Dinner Participation Plan NAME: PALM SUNDAY EASTER SUNDAY Number planning to attend Fish Luncheon Lamb Dinner Adults Students/Children over 10 yrs. old Children 10 yrs. old and under

6 Page 6 Next Meeting March 12 at in the Patmos Hall Conf. Room. Coming Friday April 17 From 11:00 pm to 7:00 pm Tell your friends and neighbors! Fun for the whole Family! Menu includes Gyro, Fries and Tea - $ 10 Greek Salad - $7 Pastries and other beverages will be available for purchase Come Enjoy Our Food and Music! Pre-purchase your meals at or see any Philoptochos member Our Annual Dinner was totally SOLD OUT! What more could one ask for Everyone s favorite day - Family Fun Day was a Huge Success With proceeds plus other donations going to The Saint Nicholas National Shrine at the World Trade Center Thank you to all of our members and everyone who helped and supported our Family Fun Day! It was great fun and extremely delicious!!!

7 Page 7 The following parishioners have submitted a stewardship form as of February 25th. If you have any questions, please contact the Parish Council Treasurer Glen Perrigan at pappaglen@gmail.com or (850) Andris, Steve & Jackie Atayants, Armen & Irina Grigoryan Balogh, Andrew A. & Cynthia P. Branch, Harold & Catherine Buford, Georgia H. & Lewis Burmester, Michael & Rodamanti Chiorescu, Irinel & Corina Collier, Michael & K.P Drzewiecki, Alex & Meredith Fetzko, R.J. Futch, Tiffany & Scott Garland, James & Sophia Gavalas, Mike & Vicky Gavalas, Janet Gavalas, Victor & Mary Gonatos, Michael Gorb, Jorge & Carol Hadoulis, Peter & Kathy Hodges, Maria Ilin, Yuri & Larisa Kuleshova Nichols, Iphigenia (Genie) Joanos, George Joanos, Stamatia Jarosynski, Jan & Svitlana Kalinska Keith, Stacy Klonis, Nicholas & Mary Koikos, Pete & Zografia Langston, Sophia Lapointe, Corinne Leftheris, James & Julie Lockwood, Yvonne Manias, Stelios Mantzanas, Catherine Markovich, Martin & Elizabeth Mathes, George & Kathy McMillan, Cynthia & W. Norman Milatos, Emmanuel Milatos, Irene Mookas, Thomas & Deborah O Loughlin, Fr. Robert & Presv. Joy Pappas, Nicholas A. Patronis, Johnnie & Mari Perrigan, Glen & Dianne Phipps, Jeffrey & Mary Mathes Poulos, Andrew & Koula Price, Burton & Roie Reeves, Corinna Salter, Sheppard Strosnider, Siham Talantis, Kathleen Tsiklistas, John & Helen Vlandis, John & Katherine C. Webb, Dorothy Deanna Annunciation of the Theotokos Celebrated on March 25th Six months after John the Forerunner's conception, the Archangel Gabriel was sent by God to Nazareth, a town of Galilee, unto Mary the Virgin, who had come forth from the Temple a mature maiden (see Nov. 21). According to the tradition handed down by the Fathers, she had been betrothed to Joseph four months. On coming to Joseph's house, the Archangel declared: "Rejoice, thou Full of Grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women." After some consideration, and turmoil of soul, and fear because of this greeting, the Virgin, when she had finally obtained full assurance concerning God's unsearchable condescension and the ineffable dispensation that was to take place through her, and believing that all things are possible to the Most High, answered in humility: "Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word." And at this, the Holy Spirit came upon her, and the power of the Most High overshadowed her all-blameless womb, and the Son and Word of God, Who existed before the ages, was conceived past speech and understanding, and became flesh in her immaculate body (Luke 1:26-38). Bearing in her womb the Uncontainable One, the blessed Virgin went with haste from Nazareth to the hill country of Judea, where Zacharias had his dwelling; for she desired to find Elizabeth her kinswoman and rejoice together with her, because, as she had learned from the Archangel, Elizabeth had conceived in her old age. Furthermore, she wished to tell her of the great things that the Mighty One had been well-pleased to bring to pass in her, and she greeted Elizabeth and drew nigh to her. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, she felt her six-month-old babe, Saint John the Baptist, prophesied of the dawning of the spiritual Sun. Immediately, the aged Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and recognized her as the Mother of her Lord, and with a great voice blessed her and the Fruit that she held within herself. The Virgin also, moved by a supernatural rejoicing in the spirit, glorified her God and Savior, saying: "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour," and the rest, as the divine Luke hath recorded (1:39-55).

8 Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church 1645 Phillips Road Tallahassee, Florida Return Service Requested Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church 1645 Phillips Road Tallahassee, FL Office: Hall: Fr. Rob s Cell: Sunday of Orthodoxy Celebrated March 1st Website: Addresses: Father Rob: fr.robert@comcast.net Church Secretary: hmog@comcast.net Secretary Hours: Mon./Wed./Fri. 9am-2pm