For the first time in nearly a decade, Christians from both Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions will celebrate Easter on the same day: April 20.
Easter, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus, is determined by a formula established by the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. It falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox.
However, a key difference in the celebration arises from the calendars used by the respective traditions. Western churches, including Roman Catholic and Protestant denominations, adhere to the Gregorian calendar, while Eastern Orthodox churches, such as the Greek and Russian branches, follow the older Julian calendar.
Additionally, the Eastern Orthodox faith mandates that Easter must always occur after Passover, reflecting the belief that Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection happened following His entry into Jerusalem for the Jewish holiday. This often leads to a variation in the dates of Easter celebrations between the two traditions, with the Western church sometimes observing Easter weeks in advance of Passover.
The Salt Lake Tribune engaged with Father George Nikas, dean of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Salt Lake City, and the Rev. Martin Diaz, rector of the Cathedral of the Madeleine, to explore the unique elements of their Easter traditions and what visitors can expect when attending their services.
Father Nikas shared that for Greek Orthodox Christians, Easter represents the promise of eternal life for all who believe in Jesus. He emphasized the significance of this day, stating that it marks the beginning of the liturgical cycle, setting the tone for services to come throughout the year.
In contrast, Rev. Diaz noted that Catholics focus on Mary Magdalene, who was the first to witness the risen Christ. He emphasized the connection between Easter and baptism, describing how Catholics perceive life after death as a continuation of that relationship with God, manifesting on Earth.
As for liturgy, Father Nikas elaborated on the Paschal Resurrection Service, which begins at 11 p.m. on Holy Saturday. This vigil leads into a midnight celebration where the lights in the church are dimmed, symbolizing the darkness prior to Christ’s resurrection. The priest emerges with a lit Paschal candle, representing Christ’s light, which is then shared with the congregation. This vibrant ceremony culminates in a Paschal liturgy that typically concludes around 2 a.m., with a further gathering at noon for a prayer service.
Rev. Diaz explained that the Catholic Easter Liturgy is a multi-day event that commences on Holy Thursday, commemorating the Last Supper. The liturgical observance continues through Good Friday, marking Christ’s death, and culminates in the baptisms celebrated on Holy Saturday night. For those already baptized, this time is seen as a renewal of their baptismal commitments.
Visitors interested in attending these Easter services are warmly welcomed in both traditions. Father Nikas invites all to participate in any of their Holy Week services, suggesting that newcomers might particularly enjoy the midnight ceremony for its rich pageantry.
Rev. Diaz echoes this sentiment, stating that the Cathedral of the Madeleine always opens its doors to visitors, providing resources such as books and programs to help them engage with the liturgy.
Both leaders emphasize the importance of fostering a welcoming atmosphere, yet they advise visitors to be aware of certain practices. Father Nikas welcomes children to attend services and encourages photography, although he notes that only baptized Orthodox Christians may partake in Holy Communion. However, visitors can enjoy blessed bread and red-dyed Easter eggs symbolizing Christ’s blood.
On the other hand, Rev. Diaz permits photography outside of the actual service and encourages families to arrive early since attendance tends to be high during Easter.
As a final thought, Father Nikas reflected on the growing interest from Latter-day Saint leaders in celebrating Easter, noting that some have embraced the Orthodox greeting, ‘Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!’ He welcomes this enthusiasm, appreciating the shared and joyful recognition of the resurrection across Christian traditions.
image source from：https://www.sltrib.com/religion/2025/04/18/easter-why-utah-christians-will-be/
