Phanar head calls on Pope to return to Julian calendar

Patriarch Bartholomew asks the Pope to switch to the Julian calendar. Photo: DW

At the World Political Conference in Abu Dhabi, Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople called on Pope Francis to adopt the Julian calendar.

He mentioned that the shared Easter date in 2025 for Orthodox Christians, Catholics, and Protestants was "an amazing coincidence". According to him, "this is a wonderful opportunity for unity, especially considering that the method of celebrating Easter was one of the issues addressed by the Nicene Council."

"A real step towards resolving old conflicts is the call of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and our Humility to the Roman Catholic Church and our elder brother His Holiness Pope Francis to return to the Julian calendar for the common calculation of Easter. Based on our understanding of the Church as the body of Christ, this realistic proposal represents a clear path to unity," said Patriarch Bartholomew. The head of the Phanar did not clarify whether he was referring to a full transition of the Roman Catholic Church to the Julian calendar or just the Easter date.

As earlier reported by the UOJ, the head of the Phanar announced a joint Easter celebration with the Pope in 2025.

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