For the first time in almost 10 years, Christians of all stripes will be celebrating Easter, which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus, on the same Sunday: April 20.
Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox as established by the Council of Nicaea in 325. But Western churches — including Roman Catholic and Protestant — use the Gregorian calendar, standard in much of the world. Eastern Orthodox churches — such as the Greek and Russian branches — use the older Julian calendar, named after Julius Caesar.
On top of that, Eastern Orthodox faiths require that Easter always follow Passover since the Bible states that Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection took place after he entered Jerusalem for the Jewish holiday. In the Western church, Easter sometimes precedes Passover by weeks.
Different still is the liturgy — or rituals — the two traditions follow to mark the end of Holy Week.
The Salt Lake Tribune spoke 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 learn what defines the Easter experience in their traditions and what visitors can expect should they attend.
(The following has been lightly edited for length and clarity.)
What does Easter represent to followers of your tradition:
Nikas (Greek Orthodox) • It represents life after physical death — that all who believe in Jesus’ name have been promised eternal life. For Orthodox Christians, the cycle of the liturgical services, including, for example, which gospel lessons we’re supposed to read each and every Sunday, begins on Easter Sunday.
Diaz (Catholic) • Mary Magdalene — the patron saint of our cathedral — was the first person to see Jesus alive after he died. Catholics believe that after death, there is a new life with God in heaven. We begin to live that life with God in heaven here on Earth. Baptism is the entry into that life. The focus of Easter is baptism.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Father Martin Diaz, rector of the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City, celebrates Mass in 2020. Diaz will lead Easter services at cathedral this Sunday. All are welcome to attend.
What is your Easter liturgy?
Nikas • The Paschal (Easter) Resurrection Service begins Saturday at 11 p.m. There’s a vigil service and then at about five minutes to midnight, we dim all the lights in the church. Then the priest comes out with a single lit Paschal candle representing the light of Christ emerging from the tomb. The altar boys then receive the light from the priest and distribute it to the people. Everyone goes outside and proclaims the resurrection, then reenters the building for the Paschal liturgy, which usually finishes around 2 a.m. At noon we reconvene for a vespers service, or prayer service with no communion.
Diaz • The Easter Liturgy begins on Holy Thursday when we remember the Last Supper. It continues to Good Friday, when we remember and celebrate Jesus’ death. The liturgy finds its end in the baptisms celebrated on Holy Saturday at night. Those of us who are already baptized renew our baptismal commitment.
Are visitors welcome?
(George Karahalios — GP Photography) Father George Nikas, dean of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Salt Lake City, says all may attend the church's Easter services, which begin late Saturday.
Nikas • Any visitors may join us at any of our Holy Week services. The best one, if someone wanted to come, would be the midnight service because that’s where you see all the pageantry.
Diaz • Visitors are always welcome. There are books and programs in the pews to assist them in following the liturgy.
Is there anything visitors should be sensitive to or aware of? For instance, are filming and children allowed?
Nikas • We would love to have children present. They’re more than welcome to take any photos. The only restriction would be that if congregants are not Orthodox, they would not be able to receive Holy Communion. But they can certainly receive the blessed bread at the end and the Easter eggs that we distribute at the end that are painted in red to symbolize the blood of Christ.
Diaz • Taking photos is allowed but not during the service. Children are welcome. For people coming to Easter service, I would arrive early as it is usually full.
Father Nikas, Latter-day Saint leaders have been encouraging their church members to put more of an emphasis on Easter. In some instances, that has led them to adopt the Orthodox phrase “Christ is Risen! Truly he is Risen!” Is that offensive to the Orthodox faithful or do you welcome that kind of enthusiasm?
Nikas • I would say it is welcome, but the unfortunate thing is that it’s not necessarily the same Christ that we are referring to. Our Christ is part of the Holy Trinity. And you have 2,000 years of history that are understood in that saying, which you don’t have in the LDS Church. However, if Latter-day Saints using this phrase is a step toward them recognizing Christ as part of the Trinity, I certainly would welcome that.