” “Wishing a Happy Easter to the Christians of the Eastern Churches, who celebrated the Resurrection of Christ yesterday. Despite several attempts, differences remain in the Easter calendars of the Christians of the West (Catholics and Protestants) and the Christians of the East. Such differences are due to the 1582 calendar reform: the Christians of the East retained the Julian calendar and this year they celebrate Easter on Sunday 23rd April, while Catholics and Protestants have adopted the Gregorian calendar, resulting in a week’s difference from the Orthodox Easter (April 16th). "My friendly thought said the Pope yesterday morning after the Regina Coeli prayer now goes to our brothers from the Churches of the East who celebrate Easter today. May the Resurrected Lord bring the gifts of His light and His peace to everyone. Christos anesti! Christos vaskries!". Benedict XVI eventually recalled the people who were hit by the floods in Serbia, Romania and Bulgaria in the last few days. "I am close to them in prayer he said and I deeply wish that, with everyone’s help, they may quickly overcome these hard times".” “
