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The First Ecumenical Council
The First Council of Nice
ON THE KEEPING OF EASTER
From the Letter of the Emperor to all those not present at the Council.
(Found in Eusebius, Vita Const., Lib. iii., 18-20.)
When the
question relative to the sacred festival of Easter arose, it was universally
thought that it
would
be convenient that all should keep the feast
on one day; for what could be more beautiful and more desirable, than to see
this festival, through which we receive the hope of immortality, celebrated
by all with one accord, and in the same manner? It was declared to be particularly
unworthy for this, the holiest of all festivals, to follow the custom [the
calculation] of the Jews, who had soiled their hands with the most fearful
of crimes, and whose minds were blinded. In rejecting their custom,(1) we may
transmit to our descendants the legitimate mode of celebrating Easter, which
we have observed from the time of the Saviour's Passion to the present day[according
to the day of the week]. We ought not, therefore, to have anything in common
with the Jews, for the Saviour has shown us another way; our worship follows
a more legitimate and more convenient course(the order of the days of the week);
and consequently, in unanimously adopting this mode, we desire, dearest brethren,
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, after the death of
the Saviour, have no longer been led by reason but by wild violence, as their
delusion may urge them? They do not possess the truth in this Easter question;
for, in their blindness and repugnance to all improvements, they frequently
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 totally
inadmissible. But even if this were not so, it would still be your duty not
to tarnish your soul by communications with such wicked people[the Jews]. Besides,
consider well, that in such an important matter, and on a subject of such great
solemnity, there ought not to be any division. Our Saviour has left us only
one festal day of our redemption, that is to say, of his holy passion, and
he desired[to establish] only one Catholic Church. Think, then, how unseemly
it is, that on the same day some should be fasting whilst others are seated
at a banquet; and that after Easter, some should be rejoicing at feasts, whilst
others are still observing a strict fast. For this reason, a Divine Providence
wills that this custom should be rectified and regulated in a uniform way;
and everyone, I hope, will agree upon this point. As, on the one hand, it is
our duty not to have anything in common with the murderers of our Lord; and
as, 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,
it has appeared good to all; and I have been guarantee for your consent, that
you would accept it with joy, as 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 Cilicia. You should consider not only that the number
of churches in these provinces make a majority, but also that it is right to
demand what our reason approves, and that we should have nothing in common
with the Jews. To sum up in few words: By the unanimous judgment of all, it
has been decided that the most holy festival of Easter should be everywhere
celebrated on one and the same day, and it is not seemly that in so holy a
thing there should be any division. As this is the state of the case, accept
joyfully the divine favour, and this truly divine command; for all which takes
place in assemblies of the bishops ought to be regarded as proceeding from
the will of God. Make known to your brethren what has been decreed, keep this
most holy day according to the prescribed mode; we can thus celebrate this
holy Easter day at the same time, if it is granted me, as I desire, to unite
myself with you; we can rejoice together, seeing that the divine power has
made use of our instrumentality for destroying the evil designs of the devil,
and thus causing faith, peace, and unity to flourish amongst us. May God graciously
protect you, my beloved brethren.
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