Calendar Update: Pascha Observance (One Day Adjustment)
"the lights are for signs and feasts" Gen 1:14
📜 “Speak unto the children… and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the Lord… these are My feasts… which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations.” (Leviticus 23)
Dear brethren,
We are writing to share an important calendar update for this year’s observance of Pascha (Passover).
According to the Biblical model of reckoning, we are observing the beginning of the year one day later this year, based on the visible crescent sighting from Jerusalem, which places the start of the month on March 20. Several are still accounting it based on March 19th.
However, it is written, “the lights in the heavens are for signs” (Genesis 1:14). For this reason, we follow the principle of what is revealed and confirmed, rather than the unseen conjunction. This approach is consistent with the long-standing practice of anchoring observation to a central location—Jerusalem—so that all may be unified in timing.
Historically, signals were relayed so that, as Scripture notes, “in every city Moses is preached” (Acts 15:21), ensuring that the appointed times could be known across regions. Today, while we have far greater tools available, the principle remains the same: a confirmed, visible sign from the land.
In our review, we have considered various modern calendar efforts, including resources such as BiblicalCalendar.org, as well as other observational projects (e.g., renewedmoon.com and similar sighted-moon efforts). While some of these come close in their projections, we maintain that the Jerusalem-based visible crescent provides the most consistent and Biblically grounded anchor.
We also note that we do not base the calendar on barley conditions, as seasonal variation in the Jerusalem region allows for multiple agricultural stages within the same cycle. Therefore, we remain committed to the astronomical and observational signs in the heavens as primary.
Accordingly, we are proclaiming the appointed times as follows:
📅 Pascha (Communion Service): Evening of April 2, 2026
📅 First Day of Unleavened Bread (High Holy Day):
Begins April 3 at sundown → observed April 4 (daylight)
📅 Feast of Unleavened Bread: April 4–10, 2026
📅 Last Great High Holy Day:
Begins April 9 at sundown → observed April 10 (daylight)
We encourage all brethren, home fellowships, and communities to take note of this update and make any needed adjustments so that we may observe these days in unity.
Our prayer is that your Pascha evening will be peaceful, reverent, and blessed as we come together in remembrance through the Communion service.
As it is written:
📖 “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…” (Hebrews 10:25)
📜 “Speak unto the children… and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the Lord… these are My feasts… which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations.” (Leviticus 23)
Dear brethren,
We are writing to share an important calendar update for this year’s observance of Pascha (Passover).
After careful review of the astronomical data and the Biblical model of reckoning, we are observing the beginning of the year one day later this year, based on the visible crescent sighting from Jerusalem, which places the start of the month on March 20.
As it is written, “the lights in the heavens are for signs” (Genesis 1:14). For this reason, we follow the principle of what is revealed and confirmed, rather than the unseen conjunction. This approach is consistent with the long-standing practice of anchoring observation to a central location—Jerusalem—so that all may be unified in timing.
Historically, signals were relayed so that, as Scripture notes, “in every city Moses is preached” (Acts 15:21), ensuring that the appointed times could be known across regions. Today, while we have far greater tools available, the principle remains the same: a confirmed, visible sign from the land.
In our review, we have considered various modern calendar efforts, including resources such as BiblicalCalendar.org, as well as other observational projects (e.g., renewedmoon.com and similar sighted-moon efforts). While some of these come close in their projections, we maintain that the Jerusalem-based visible crescent provides the most consistent and Biblically grounded anchor.
We also note that we do not base the calendar on barley conditions, as seasonal variation in the Jerusalem region allows for multiple agricultural stages within the same cycle. Therefore, we remain committed to the astronomical and observational signs in the heavens as primary.
Accordingly, we are proclaiming the appointed times as follows:
📅 Pascha (Communion Service): Evening of April 2, 2026
📅 First Day of Unleavened Bread (High Holy Day):
Begins April 3 at sundown → observed April 4 (daylight)
📅 Feast of Unleavened Bread: April 4–10, 2026
📅 Last Great High Holy Day:
Begins April 9 at sundown → observed April 10 (daylight)
We encourage all brethren, home fellowships, and communities to take note of this update and make any needed adjustments so that we may observe these days in unity.
Our prayer is that your Pascha evening will be peaceful, reverent, and blessed as we come together in remembrance through the Communion service.
As it is written:
📖 “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…” (Hebrews 10:25)
May the Lord bless you as we prepare, observe, and gather in these appointed times. And in His perfect time, may we all be brought into full unity as one body in Christ, keeping His appointed times together under a most faithful and Biblical reckoning, with Jerusalem once again serving as the central witness for all. (Contact me for a study on Jerusalem centrality being Biblical for the church.)
In Christ,
Rev Dr Stephen MK Brunswick
St Andrew’s OCC
http://st-andrewsocc.org