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Synod of Whitby, 663/4
The turning point in the ecclesiastical history of England, the Synod of
Whitby, convoked in September/October, 663/64, settled the dispute about
calculating the date of Easter that had divided the Christians of northern
England, whom the Celts had evangelized, from the Christians of southern
England, whom the Romans had evangelized. The issue had become especially
pressing to King Oswiu of Northumbria, who followed the Celtic rule while
his wife, Queen Eanfleda, followed the Roman.
Citing the authority of St. John the Evangelist, St.
Colmán and St. Cedd
presented the case for the Celtic practice. Appealing to the authority of
St. Peter and of the Council of Nicea, St. Wilfrid and St. Agilbert
presented the case for the Roman usage. When Colman assented to the truth
of Wilfrid's statements about Peter, Oswui decided to follow St. Peter,
the keeper of the keys. Although some Christians kept Celtic customs after
Whitby, the first Anglo-Saxon council, ended, Roman practice soon
dominated the English church.
A secondary issue discussed at Whitby ws the proper tonsure. No written
record of the outcome of this debate exists, but since the Celtic
ear-to-ear tonsure soon disappeared, most infer the triumph of the Roman
bowl-like tonsure.
Karen Rae Keck
- ABOUT:
-
1912 Catholic Encyclopedia: (Read with caution)
- Francis S. Betten:
The So-Called Council of Whitby, (1928).
Catholic Historical Review (13/4): 620.
Pro-Whitby, despite the title.
- The Synod took place during the reign, and with the support, of
Pope St. Vitalian I.
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