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Octava dies
(182 words)

[German Version]

Octava dies, from the Latin (dies) octava, the eighth day, denotes the liturgical celebration eight days after a festival, and also the period up to the day of the octave. Sources from the end of the 4th century attest the Easter octave (“White Sunday”), and the octaves of Epiphany (V) and church dedication. Whereas earlier scholarship saw its genesis in the context of Old Testament testimony (Lev 23:36; 1 Kgs 8:65; 2 Chr 29:17, 30:21ff.; 1 Macc 4:56), now a connection with baptismal catechesis (baptismal octave) is surmised for the octaves of Easter and Epiphany, and th…

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Brüske, Gunda, “Octava dies”, in: Religion Past and Present. Consulted online on 28 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1877-5888_rpp_SIM_024229>
First published online: 2011
First print edition: ISBN: 9789004146662, 2006-2013



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