Synod of Whitby

Whitby, Synod of a conference held in Whitby in 664 that resolved the differences between the Celtic and Roman forms of Christian worship in England, in particular the method of calculating the date of Easter. The Northumbrian Christians had followed the Celtic method of fixing the date while those of the south had adopted the Roman system. King Oswy (612–70) of Northumbria decided in favour of Rome, and England as a result effectively severed the connection with the Celtic Church.

Synod of Whitby called by King Oswy of Northumbria in 663 at Whitby, England. Its purpose was to choose between the usages of the Celtic and Roman churches, primarily in the matter of reckoning the date of Easter (see calendar ; Celtic Church ). Among those involved in the synod were Cædmon, the poet, and St. Hilda , the abbess of Whitby, who favored the Celtic usages. St. Wilfrid , Abbot of Ripon was the chief spokesperson for the Roman usages. Oswy decided for the Roman usages and in so doing determined that the English church would be associated with the Roman in the main stream of Western European Christianity. Only a few of the Celtic clergy returned to the monastery of Iona and to their old ways. The traditional date (from Bede) of 664 has recently been interpreted as Sept. or Oct., 663.

Whitby, Synod of (664), a council held by King Oswiu of Northumbria to establish unity of practice in the date of observing Easter (see PASCHAL CONTROVERSIES) and the style of the tonsure within his territory. Oswiu decided to follow the tradition of St Peter. Northumbria adopted the Roman practice and those clergy who would not change withdrew to Iona and later to Ireland. Despite the view of historians, there is little reason to think that the Synod had much influence outside Northumbria.