Synod of Whitby facts for kids

The Synod of Whitby was an important meeting held in Northumbria in the year 664. During this gathering, King Oswiu decided that his kingdom would follow the customs of Rome. This meant they would calculate the date of Easter and observe the monastic tonsure (how monks shaved their heads) in the Roman way. This was different from the customs practiced by Irish monks from Iona and their related monasteries. The meeting took place at Hilda's monastery called Streonshalh, which is now known as Whitby Abbey.

Why the Meeting Happened

For a long time in Britain, there were different ways of practicing Christianity. The main difference was how to figure out the correct date for Easter.

One way was used by the Irish monks connected to the island of Iona. They used an older method to calculate Easter. The other way was the newer tradition followed in Rome.

In the kingdom of Northumbria, both traditions were present. King Edwin of Northumbria had become a Christian thanks to missionaries from Rome. So, he used the Roman way of calculating Easter. But after he died, King Oswald of Northumbria took the throne. He had learned Christianity from the monks of Iona when he was young. He encouraged missionaries from Iona, like the famous Bishop Aidan, to spread Christianity in Northumbria.

The Easter Problem

The Synod of Whitby was called to solve this big problem about Easter. Early Christians likely celebrated Easter at the same time as the Jewish Passover. This was on the fourteenth day of the first Jewish lunar month, called Nisan. This was the day Jesus was crucified.

However, in 325, a big meeting called the First Council of Nicaea decided something new. Christians should no longer use the Jewish calendar. Instead, they should always celebrate Easter on a Sunday, the day Jesus rose from the dead. This was already the custom in Rome and Alexandria.

Figuring out the exact date for Easter was complicated. Different calculation methods led to different dates for the celebration.

By the 660s, the monks from Iona still used an older 84-year cycle for Easter. Meanwhile, Rome had developed a newer system. These different methods often meant that Easter was celebrated on different days.

This caused a lot of confusion in the Northumbrian court. For example, Queen Eanfled and her court celebrated Easter on a different day than King Oswiu. While one part of the royal family was celebrating Easter, the other was still fasting for Lent.

This wasn't a huge problem while the respected Bishop Aidan was alive. But after he died, the conflict grew. It became so serious that King Oswiu had to step in and find a solution.

Calling the Meeting

A key person in getting the synod to happen was Alchfrith. He was King Oswiu's son. Alchfrith wanted the Roman way to be followed. He even removed Ionan monks from a monastery and gave it to Wilfrid. Wilfrid was a Northumbrian churchman who had just returned from Rome. Alchfrith's actions helped lead to his father calling the synod.

The meeting was held at a place called Streanæshalch. This was at a monastery belonging to Hilda. She was a powerful noble and followed the Ionan Easter traditions. Most people agree this place is what we now call Whitby.

Bishop Colmán, who was the Bishop of Northumbria, spoke for the Ionan side. For the Roman side, Queen Eanfled sent her chaplain Romanus. Bishop Agilbert, a Frankish bishop, also supported the Roman view. However, Agilbert found it hard to explain complex ideas in Old English. So, Wilfrid was chosen to be the main speaker for the Roman group.

King Oswiu himself led the synod. He was the final judge who would decide which side to support.

The Decision

Bishop Colmán argued for the Ionan way of calculating Easter. He said it was the practice of Columba, the founder of their monasteries. Columba was a saint who had followed the tradition of Saint John.

Wilfrid argued for the Roman position. He said:

• It was the practice in Rome, where the apostles Peter and Paul had lived, taught, and were buried.
• It was the common practice of the Church everywhere, even in Egypt.
• The customs of Saint John were for his community and time. The Council of Nicaea had set a different practice since then.
• Columba did the best he could with the knowledge he had. So, his different practice was understandable. But the Ionan monks now had no excuse for not knowing the Roman way.
• Most importantly, no one has authority over Peter. This meant no one had authority over the bishops of Rome, who were Peter's successors.

King Oswiu then asked both sides if they agreed that Jesus had given Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven. He also asked if they agreed that Jesus had called Peter "the rock" on which the Church would be built. Both sides agreed.

Then, King Oswiu announced his decision. He chose the side that held the "keys," which meant the Roman (and Petrine) practice.

However, the method Wilfrid used to calculate Easter was actually from Alexandria, not Rome. Still, the synod was seen as a victory for the Roman side.

What Happened Next

The Synod of Whitby made the Roman practice the standard in Northumbria. This brought the Northumbrian church more in line with Roman culture. The main church office in Northumbria moved from Lindisfarne to York.

Wilfrid, who had argued for the Roman side, later became Bishop of Northumbria. Bishop Colmán and the Ionan supporters who did not change their practices left and went back to Iona. Colmán was allowed to take some important relics of Aidan with him. Aidan had been very important in bringing the Ionan Christian tradition to Northumbria.

To replace the monks who left, King Oswiu chose mostly Irishmen. These were Irishmen who already followed the Roman Easter, as most of Ireland had been doing for some time by the 660s.

Why It Was Important

The Synod of Whitby was one of many meetings held to decide how to calculate Easter. It focused on Easter and the monastic tonsure. It only affected the part of the English Church connected to Lindisfarne, so it was mainly a Northumbrian event.

Some historians say Wilfrid's push for the Roman Easter was like "a triumphant push against an open door." This is because most of the Irish had already accepted the Roman Easter. So, Iona was already losing its influence among other Irish churches.

Even though the synod focused on Easter and tonsure, it was also a big step in the English church becoming more like the Roman church. This might have happened anyway, even without the synod.

After the Protestant Reformation, people sometimes saw the synod as a fight between a "Celtic Church" and a "Roman Church." King Oswiu's decision was then seen as the "defeat" of the "British Church" by Rome. However, historians today debate if there was really such a clear difference between a "Celtic" and "Roman" Church before Whitby.

Historians also note that the synod happened during political tensions. Some believe Alchfrith wanted the synod to challenge his father's power and replace Bishop Colmán with someone more aligned with himself.

See also

• Bretwalda
• Colmán of Lindisfarne
• Eanfled of Deira
• Easter
• Religion in the United Kingdom
• Paschal Full Moon