the Synod of Whitby

The Synod of Whitby was a significant meeting in 664 AD in England where church leaders gathered to resolve differences between Roman and Celtic Christian practices, particularly regarding the date of Easter. The Roman tradition, represented by Bishop Wilfrid, argued for following the calculations established by the Church in Rome, while the Celtic tradition, represented by figures like Abbess Hilda, followed a different method. The synod ultimately decided in favor of the Roman approach, leading to greater unity in the English church and aligning it more closely with continental Christianity, which had lasting effects on religious practice in England.