The Keeping of Easter

From the emperor’s letter to all those who were not present at the council. It is found in Eusebius, Life of Constantine, Book 3, chapters 18 to 20. [a]

When the question of the sacred festival of Easter came up, everyone agreed that it would be fitting for all to keep the feast on one day. For what could be more beautiful, or more to be desired, than to see this festival, through which we receive the hope of immortality, celebrated by all with one accord and in the same way? It was declared especially unworthy that this, the holiest of all festivals, should follow the custom, that is, the calculation, of the Jews, who had soiled their hands with the most fearful of crimes and whose minds were blinded. By rejecting their custom, we may hand down to our descendants the lawful way of celebrating Easter, which we have kept, by the day of the week, from the time of the Savior’s suffering to the present day. We ought not, then, to have anything in common with the Jews, for the Savior has shown us another way. Our worship follows a more lawful and more fitting course, the order of the days of the week. And so, in adopting this way with one mind, we desire, dearest brothers, to separate ourselves from the detestable company of the Jews. For it is truly shameful for us to hear them boast that without their direction we could not keep this feast. How can they be in the right, they who, since the death of the Savior, have no longer been led by reason but by wild violence, as their delusion may drive them? They do not have the truth on this question of Easter. For in their blindness and their aversion to every improvement, they often celebrate two Passovers in the same year. We could not imitate those who are openly in error. How, then, could we follow these Jews, who are most certainly blinded by error? For to celebrate the Passover twice in one year is not to be allowed at all. But even if this were not so, it would still be your duty not to stain your soul by dealings with such wicked people, the Jews. [b]

Consider well, besides, that in so important a matter, and on a subject of such great solemnity, there ought not to be any division. Our Savior has left us only one festal day of our redemption, that is, of his holy suffering, and he desired to establish only one catholic church. Think, then, how unseemly it is that on the same day some should be fasting while others are sitting at a banquet; and that after Easter some should be rejoicing at feasts while others are still keeping a strict fast. For this reason divine Providence wills that this custom should be corrected and set in order in one uniform way; and everyone, I hope, will agree on this point. On the one hand, it is our duty not to have anything in common with the murderers of our Lord. On the other, the custom now followed by the churches of the West, of the South and of the North, and by some of those of the East, is the most acceptable. So it has seemed good to all; and I have given my word for your consent, that you would accept it with joy, since it is followed at Rome, in Africa, in all Italy, Egypt, Spain, Gaul, Britain, Libya, in all Achaia, and in the dioceses of Asia, of Pontus and of Cilicia. You should consider not only that the churches in these provinces are the greater number, but also that it is right to require what our reason approves, and that we should have nothing in common with the Jews.

To sum up in a few words: by the unanimous judgment of all, it has been decided that the most holy festival of Easter should be celebrated everywhere on one and the same day, and it is not fitting that in so holy a thing there should be any division. Since this is how matters stand, accept with joy the divine favor and this truly divine command; for everything that is done in assemblies of the bishops ought to be regarded as coming from the will of God. Make known to your brothers and sisters what has been decreed, and keep this most holy day in the way prescribed. In this way we can celebrate this holy Easter day at the same time, if it is granted me, as I desire, to join with you; we can rejoice together, seeing that the divine power has used us as its instruments to destroy the evil designs of the devil, and so to make faith, peace and unity flourish among us. May God graciously protect you, my beloved brothers.