Canon XXIX.
A
canon
of the Synod of Carthage
says that the holy mysteries of the altar are not to be performed but
by men who are fasting, except on one day in the year on which the
Supper of the Lord is celebrated. At that time, on account
perhaps of certain occasions in those places useful to the Church, even
the holy Fathers themselves made use of this dispensation. But
since nothing leads us to abandon exact observance, we decree that the
Apostolic and Patristic tradition shall be followed; and define that it
is not right to break the fast on the fifth feria of the last week of
Lent, and thus to do dishonour to the whole of Lent.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canon
XXIX.
Some of the Fathers after they had supped on the day
of the Divine Supper made the offering.
367
However, it has seemed good to
the synod that this should not be done, and that the fast should not be
broken upon the fifth feria
368
of the last
week of Lent, and so the whole of Lent be dishonoured.
Zonaras remarks that the “Apostolic and Patristic
tradition” is a reference to canon lxix. of the Apostolic Canons
and to canon l. of Laodicea. See notes on this last
canon.
367
I.e., of the
Mass.
368
Maundy
Thursday.