Korinthos, Korinthia Apr 27, 2025 (Issuewire.com) - Bishop Theophilus, leader of the Marcionite Christian Church, has called for all Christians to celebrate Easter on the first Sunday in April each year and come together in the unifying spirit of Pre-Nicene Christian tradition.
This initiative aims to create a common date, addressing the current system where Easter dates vary based on the Gregorian and Julian calendars, often leading to different observance days for Western and Eastern Orthodox Christians. "For centuries," said Theophilus, "Easter Day (Anastasis) has shifted based on Gregorian or Julian calendars, lunar cycles, confusing interpretations and the dating system of an alien religion. We suggest that the Pre-Nicene Christian tradition as followed by the Marcionite Church be universally recognized as the first Sunday in April. We are reminded of I Corinthians 14:23 - 'For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.'"
Easter, a pivotal Christian holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, has historically varied in date due to differing calendar systems. The Western Church (Catholic and Protestant) uses the Gregorian calendar, while the Eastern Orthodox Church often uses the Julian calendar, leading to potential date discrepancies.
The scriptural foundation of Bishop Theophilus' call for Easter unity was echoed and amplified by Chancellor A.W. Mitchell of the Marcionite Church of the Americas, based in Argentina. Says Mitchell, "Once again we find direction in I Corinthians 1:10 where we read, 'Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.'"
Bishop Theophilus also notes that a growing number of theologians have come to agree that the date of the crucifixion of Jesus was Friday, April 3rd, 33 A.D., further aligning the celebration of Easter with the first Sunday in April. "Although many divisions remain, this will be a good first step in restoring unity among Christians and hopefully lead to the recognition of The Very First Bible of 144 A.D. as the bedrock of our shared faith," added Theophilus.
The Marcionite Christian Church was founded by its namesake, Saint Marcion, in 144 A.D. and maintains Pontiates in Europe and the Americas.
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