Is December 25 the correct date, and is it better than January 7?
Between the Magazine and the Readers
Question:
Is December 25 the correct date, and is it better than January 7? And will we celebrate the Nativity on it as a manifestation of Christian unity?
Answer:
December 25 is the date reached by the Gregorian calendar, attributed to Gregory, one of the Popes of the Catholics. January 7 (corresponding to 29 Kiahk) is the Feast of the Nativity according to the Coptic calendar.
The matter is more of an astronomical scientific issue than a “religious” one, and it is the subject of very sharp debate among scientists, who have not yet reached a decisive opinion.
Coptic scholars say that the Coptic calendar (taken from the Pharaonic calendar) is more precise, due to the excellence of the Pharaohs in astronomy. It is also the calendar by which the agricultural year in Egypt proceeds with great accuracy. They also see that the Gregorian calendar is not free from errors…
However, we are not now in the field of examining this point from a scientific perspective, but we can say that behind it there are ecclesiastical dangers that must be taken into account.
Christian unity should be built first and foremost on a doctrinal foundation, because we cannot compromise our faith for the sake of unity.
But what is merely external formalities—such as the use of the Coptic language, the same liturgies and responses, and the titles of the priesthood—may make one entering the church think that everything has already been unified!!
By this superficial method, many can be attracted into the fold of denominations. And if the Feast of the Nativity is also unified, they will say: now we have become completely united, and nothing remains… and more people will be gathered under the name of unity!!
As for doctrinal differences, many do not understand them.
We must also consider the faith of children and the simple, who may be deceived by these externalities. It is not right to present new material that could be used to convince them that unity has been achieved and that there is no longer any difference…
God will not judge people on the last day because they celebrated on December 25 or January 7; this is not a theological issue related to salvation…
Therefore, let us postpone this discussion until agreement is reached on the theological matters related to salvation, for which many of the Fathers were martyred, and which are surrounded by anathemas from our holy Fathers…
Especially since there are several churches that celebrate on January 7 like us, such as the Russian Church, some Greek churches, and the Orthodox churches.
An article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III – in El-Keraza Magazine – Year Eight (Issue Two) 14-1-1977
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