"The people of Constantinople, and almost everywhere, assemble together
on the Sabbath, as well as on the first day of the week, which custom is never
observed at Rome or at Alexandria." Socrates, "Ecclesiastical History," Book
7, chap.19.
The World
"For although almost all churches throughout The World celebrated
the sacred mysteries (the Lord's Supper) on the Sabbath of every week,
yet the Christians of Allexandria and at Rome, on account of some
ancient tradition, refuse to do this." The footnote which accompanies
the foregoing quotation explains the use of the word "Sabbath."
It says: "That is, upon the Saturday. It should be observed,
that Sunday is never called "the Sabbath' by the ancient Fathers
and historians." Socrates, "Ecclestical History," Book
5, chap. 22, p. 289.
Constantinople
"The people of Constantinople, and almost everywhere, assemble
together on the Sabbath, as well as on the first day of the week,
which custom is never observed at Rome or at Alexandria." Sozomen,
"Ecclesiastical History," Book 7, chap. 19.
The World - Augustine, Bishop Of Hippo (North Africa)
Augustine shows here that the Sabbath was observed in his day "in
the greater part of the Christian world," and his testimony in this
respect is all the more valuable because he himself was an earnest and
consistent Sunday-keeper. See "Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers," 1st
Series, Vol.1, pp. 353, 354.
Pope Innocent (402-417)
Pope Sylvester (314-335) was the first to order the churches to fast on
Saturday, and Pope Innocent (402-417) made it a binding law in the churches
that obeyed him, (In order to bring the Sabbath into disfavour.) "Innocentius
did ordain the Saturday or Sabbath to be always fasted." Dr. Peter
Heylyn, "History of the Sabbath, Part 2, p. 44.
5th Century Christians
Down even to the fifth century the observance of the Jewish Sabbath
was continued in the Christian church. "Ancient Christianity Exemplified," Lyman
Coleman, ch. 26, sec. 2, p. 527.
In Jerome's day (420 A.D.) the devoutest Christians did ordinary work
on Sunday. "Treatise of the Sabbath Day," by Dr. White, Lord
Bishop of Ely, p. 219.
France
"Wherefore, except Vespers and Nocturns, there are no public services among
them in the day except on Saturday (Sabbath) and Sunday." John Cassian,
A French monk, "Institutes," Book 3, ch. 2.
Africa
"Augustine deplored the fact that in two neighbouring churches in Africa
one observes the seventh-day Sabbath, another fasted on it." Dr. Peter Heylyn, "The
History of the Sabbath." p. 416.
Spain (400 A.D.)
"Ambrose sanctified the seventh day as the Sabbath (as he himself says).
Ambrose had great influence in Spain, which was also observing the Saturday Sabbath." Truth
Triumphant, p. 68.
Sidonius (Speaking Of King Theodoric Of The Goths, A.D. 454-526)
"It is a fact that it was formerly the custom in the East to keep the Sabbath
in the same manner as the Lord's day and to hold sacred assemblies: while on
the other hand, the people of the West, contending for the Lord's day have neglected
the celebration of the Sabbath." "Apollinaries Sidonli Epistolae," lib.1,
2; Migne, 57.
Church Of The East
"Mingana proves that in 410 Isaac, supreme director of the Church of the
East, held a world council,-stimulated, some think, by the trip of Musacus,-attended
by eastern delegates from forty grand metrop olitan divisions. In 411 he appointed
a metropolitan director for China. These churches were sanctifying the seventh
day."
Egypt
"There are several cities and villages in Egypt where, contrary
to the usage established elsewhere, the people meet together on
Sabbath evenings, and, although they have dined previously, partake
of the mysteries." Sozomen. "Ecclesiastical History"
Book 7, ch. 19
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