The Obligatory Days of Feast and Penance in CCEO and the Right of a Particular Church Sui Iuris to Safeguard its Patrimony

Abstract

Feast days and days of penance that exist in the Church have theological, liturgical, and canonical aspects. Considering the laws on obligatory days in the Eastern Code, we have to keep in mind that there are common and particular aspects of observation practices in Eastern Churches sui iuris. As a common law for all the Oriental Churches, the Code of Eastern Churches has recognized the patrimony of each Churches sui iuris. The Oriental Code also establishes the norms on feast days and days of penance in the matter of common discipline for all the Eastern Churches. Sacred times of the Church, such as Sundays, feast days, and days of penance, are the common manifestations of the faith in the Church. These days the community of the faithful is coming together to celebrate the mystery of salvation with the aim of foretasting the heavenly joy. Thus, the common and particular norm for the sacred time is essential for all Churches sui iuris.