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.