4th Century Sabbath Observance
ITALY AND EAST-C 4th
"It was the practice generally of the
Easterne Churches; and some churches of the west...For in the Church
of Millaine (Milan);...it seems the Saturday was held in a farre
esteeme... Not that the Easterne Churches, or any of the rest which
observed that day, were inclined to Iudaisme (Judaism); but that
they came together on the Sabbath day, to worship Iesus (Jesus)
Christ the Lord of the Sabbath." "History
of the Sabbath" (original spelling retained), Part 2, par. 5,
pp.73, 74. London: 1636. Dr. Heylyn.
ORIENT AND MOST OF WORLD
"The ancient Christians were very careful in the observance of
Saturday, or the seventh day...It is plain that all the Oriental
churches, and the greatest part of the world, observed the Sabbath
as a festival...Athanasius likewise tells us that they held
religious assembles on the Sabbath, not because they were infected
with Judaism, but to worship Jesus, the Lord of the Sabbath,
Epiphanius says the same." "Antiquities
of the Christian Church," Vol.II Book XX, chap. 3, sec.1, 66.
1137,1138.
ABYSSINIA
"In the last half of that century St. Ambrose of Milan
stated officially that the Abyssinian bishop, Museus, had 'traveled
almost everywhere in the country of the Seres' (China). For more
than seventeen centuries the Abyssinian Church continued to sanctify
Saturday as the holy day of the fourth commandment." Ambrose,
DeMoribus, Brachmanorium Opera Ominia, 1132, found in Migne,
Patrologia Latima, Vol.17, pp.1131,1132.
ARABIA, PERSIA, INDIA, CHINA
"Mingana proves that in 370 A.D. Abyssinian Christianity
(a Sabbath keeping church) was so popular that its famous director,
Musacus, travelled extensively in the East promoting the church in
Arabia, Persia, India and China." "Truth
Triumphanat,"p.308 (Footnote 27).
ITALY-MILAN
"Ambrose, the celebrated bishop of Milan, said that when
he was in Milan he observed Saturday, but when in Rome observed
Sunday. This gave rise to the proverb, 'When you are in Rome, do as
Rome does.'" Heylyn, "The
History of the Sabbath" (1612)
SPAIN-COUNCIL ELVIRA (A.D.305)
Canon 26 of the Council of Elvira reveals that the Church of
Spain at that time kept Saturday, the seventh day. "As to
fasting every Sabbath: Resolved, that the error be corrected of
fasting every Sabbath." This resolution of the council is in
direct opposition to the policy the church at Rome had inaugurated,
that of commanding Sabbath as a fast day in order to humiliate it
and make it repugnant to the people.
SPAIN
It is a point of further interest to note that in
north-eastern Spain near the city of Barcelona is a city called
Sabadell, in a district originaly inhabited. By a people called both
"Valldenses" and Sabbatati."
PERSIA-A.D. 335-375 (40 YEARS
PERSECUTION UNDER SHAPUR II)
The popular complaint against the Christians-"They
despise our sungod, they have divine services on Saturday, they
desecrate the sacred the earth by burying their dead in it." Truth
Triumphant," p.170.
PERSIA-A.D.335-375
"They despise our sun-god. Did not Zorcaster, the
sainted founder of our divine beliefs, institute Sunday one thousand
years ago in honour of the sun and supplant the Sabbath of the Old
Testament. Yet these Christians have divine services on
Saturday." O'Leary, "The
Syriac Church and Fathers," pp.83, 84.
COUNCIL LAODICEA-A.D.365
"Canon 16-On Saturday the Gospels and other portions of
the Scripture shall be read aloud." "Canon 29-Christians
shall not Judaize and be idle on Saturday, but shall work on that
day; but the Lord's day they shall especially honor, and as being
Christians, shall, if possible, do no work on that day." Hefele's
"Councils," Vol. 2, b. 6.
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