The Adoption of the Gregorian Calendar in the Orthodox Churches

The question of when the Orthodox Churches adopted the Gregorian calendar varies widely, reflecting the diverse and decentralized nature of the Orthodox Christian tradition. This article explores the timeline and details of when different Orthodox communities adopted or modified their calendar systems.

Varied Timeline of Adoption

It is important to note that there is no single 'Orthodox Church' that operates as a unified entity. Instead, it is composed of various autonomous churches, each with its own jurisdiction and practices. The adoption of the Gregorian calendar was not uniform across these churches.

Some Orthodox jurisdictions, such as the Russian Church, continue to observe the Julian calendar for certain feasts and Christmas, celebrating it on January 7th according to the Gregorian calendar. The Metropolitanate of the Serbian Church also follows this practice, while other jurisdictions like the Orthodox Church in America adopt the Gregorian calendar for most purposes, except for Easter calculations (which remain on the Julian calendar).

Early Adopters and Exceptions

Many Orthodox jurisdictions started adopting the Gregorian calendar towards the early 20th century, especially after World War I. Some notable early adopters include:

Finland (1923): Became the first Orthodox country to adopt the Gregorian calendar in 1923. India (1953): Adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1953. Armenia (1923): Also adopted the Gregorian calendar in 1923.

Notably, the Russian Church, the Serbian Church, and the Georgian Church did not adopt the Gregorian calendar, thus maintaining their adherence to the Julian calendar. These churches continue to observe special feasts and occasions based on the Julian calendar, even if they have adopted the Gregorian calendar for other purposes.

The Revised Julian Calendar: A Midway Solution

While many Orthodox Churches opted for the Gregorian calendar, some developed a compromise known as the Revised Julian Calendar. Proposed in 1923 and adopted by various Orthodox churches between 1923 and 1968, this calendar aims to bridge the gap between the Gregorian and Julian calendars. This calendar closely follows the rules of the Gregorian calendar, but it differs from it in fundamental ways.

The Louka Calendar is another term used for the Revised Julian Calendar. It was designed to align with the Gregorian calendar starting from the year 1900, but unlike the Gregorian calendar, it does not add a leap year in the years 1900, 2100, 2200, and 2300, which the Gregorian calendar deems as common years.

Continued Use of the Julian Calendar

Most Orthodox Churches that did not adopt the Gregorian calendar or the Revised Julian Calendar continue to use the Julian Calendar.

The Julian calendar, though slightly ahead of the Gregorian calendar, is based on the same rules but has fewer leap years, making it seven days ahead of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. This continues to be the case for many Orthodox communities, including those in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and parts of the Caucasus.

Conclusion

The adoption of the Gregorian calendar in the OrthodoxChurches reflected both a desire to align with Western standards and a need to maintain traditional practices. While some early adopters such as Finland and India saw significant changes, many Orthodox communities have kept their calendar traditions, such as the Russian Church, maintaining a hybrid approach with certain feasts celebrating on the Julian calendar.

FAQs

Q: Why do some Orthodox Churches still use the Julian Calendar?

A: Some Orthodox Churches, particularly the Russian Church, the Serbian Church, and the Georgian Church, maintain the Julian calendar for specific liturgical and historical reasons. They celebrate certain feasts and observances based on this calendar to preserve their unique traditions and historical continuity.

Q: Which Orthodox Churches are using the Revised Julian Calendar?

A: The Revised Julian Calendar is used by several churches, including those in Eastern Europe, certain churches in the Balkans, and some churches in the Middle East. This calendar aims to bridge the gap between the Julian and Gregorian calendars, providing a more accurate alignment for various church observances.

Q: What is the key difference between the Gregorian and Julian calendars?

A: The Gregorian calendar, introduced in 1582, made adjustments to the Julian calendar to correct its accuracy. It introduces a more precise leap year rule, removing three leap years every 400 years. The Julian calendar, used by the Orthodox Churches, has fewer leap years, resulting in a slightly different date for important observances like Christmas.