The Eighteenth Festal Letter, for Easter 346

Athanasius, to the presbyters and deacons of Alexandria, brothers beloved in the Lord: greetings. [a]

You have done well, dearly beloved brothers, in giving the customary notice of holy Easter in those districts, for I have seen and recognized your exactness. I have also given you notice by other letters, so that when this year is over you may know about the next. Yet now I have thought it necessary to write the same things, so that, when you have it exactly, you too may write with care. So, after the close of this feast, which is now drawing to its end, on the 12th of the month Pharmuthi, which is the seventh day before the Ides of April, the 7th of April, Easter Day will be on the third day before the Kalends of April, the 30th of March: the 4th of Pharmuthi, as the Alexandrians count. So when the feast is over, give notice again in these districts, according to the old custom, in this way: Easter Sunday is on the third day before the Kalends of April, the 30th of March, which is the 4th of Pharmuthi by the Alexandrian reckoning. And let no one hesitate about the day, and let no one argue, saying, “Easter ought to be held on the 27th of the month Phamenoth.” For it was discussed in the holy synod, and everyone there settled that it should be on the third day before the Kalends of April. I say, then, that it is on the 4th of the month Pharmuthi, for the week before this is much too early. So let there be no dispute, but let us act as is fitting for us. For I have written in this way to the Romans also. Give notice, then, as it has been made known to you, that it is on the third day before the Kalends of April, the 30th of March: the 4th of Pharmuthi, by the Alexandrian reckoning. [b]

I pray, my dearly beloved brothers, that you may have health in the Lord.