By the late second century, Christian Churches were a federation of congregations with diverse religious beliefs and practices, as was predicted by Christ and the Apostles. This book explains how the churches in Asia observed the Passover on Nisan 14 according to Church Father Melito de Sardis in 190 AD. ( )

On Pascha (Greek: Περὶ Πάσχα) is an early text about the Easter liturgy by Melito of Sardis. Most sources say that it was probably written between AD 160 and AD 170, although this edition suggests a later date of AD 190. There are many things that make Melito's text significant, no one seems to agree on what exactly it is, whether it is a homily, a description of the Easter liturgy, or something else entirely. What we do know is that Melito lived in Sardis in Asia Minor, a major center of Jewish activity, that he himself was probably of Jewish ancestry, and that he was a Quartodeciman—that is, he celebrated Easter on 14 Nisan, the day the Jews celebrated Passover, not on a Sunday. This was apparently a widespread custom in the Eastern church at that time and it also meant that Good Friday and Easter were celebrated in a single feast. Luckily, the book has a very thorough introduction by the translator that helps put Melito and his text in context, especially his views about the Jewish role in Christ's crucifixion. The text itself has a particularly liturgical grace about it and the reader will catch many parallels to "traditional" Triduum liturgies, particularly to Easter Vigil. This means it makes for very good triduum reading.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in the early Church and its practices, Quartodecimanism, or Christian liturgies, or anyone looking for something different to read this Holy Week. ( )