b) Engaging in acts of kindness: Jesus encountered a man afflicted with dropsy at the home of a Pharisee on the Sabbath. He asked them, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?” but they remained silent. He then healed the man (Lk. 14:1-4). c) Performing merciful acts towards animals: “If any of you has a donkey or an ox that falls into a well, will you not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath?” (Lk. 14:5). d) Attending the house of God for prayer and teaching: “And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, on the Sabbath day into the synagogue” (Lk. 4:16; cf. Acts 20:7). e) Sharing in the body and blood of Christ on the Lord's Day: “On the first day of the week, when the disciples were assembled for the breaking of bread, Paul, intending to depart the next day, conversed with them and preached until midnight” (Acts 20:7).
Explanation of the Fourth Commandment of God's Law
a) The seventh day (Sunday) is blessed and consecrated by God. “And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, for in it He rested from all His works which He had made” (Gen. 2:3). To comprehend the nature of this blessing, one must consider its opposite, the curse of a day, which indicates a day marred by evil, rendering it a source of lamentation (Job 3:1-9; Jer. 20:14-16). Hence, a blessed day is characterized by a unique goodness that fosters joy and preservation during the ever-changing aspects of life. Most crucially, God's blessing serves as a reliable source of enduring goodness. Sanctification denotes a calling apart for a higher purpose (Num. 20:7; Num. 1:13), often attributed to that which is inherently holy (Jn. 10:36; Jn. 17:19). Time sanctified is designated for divine service (1 Sam. 10:2; Neh. 8:9; Joel 1:14; Joel 2:15-16). Thus, God’s blessing and sanctification of the seventh day establishes it as: a) an everlasting memorial of His majesty and joy in creation (Ps. 103:31), and b) a special time reserved for man's holiness.
b) The observance of Sunday, in place of the Sabbath, emerged from Christ's resurrection. We, as Christians, honor not the Sabbath but Sunday, the day our salvation was achieved, rescuing us from sin, condemnation, and eternal separation from divine life. If the sacred observance of the ancient Sabbath was esteemed, how much more should Sunday, the day of joy and new creation, be revered? We are reborn in hope through the resurrection of Christ (1 Pet. 1:3).
c) The feast begins the evening prior. In adherence to ancient traditions, the Christian Orthodox Church initiates the celebration in the evening of the preceding day and concludes it in the evening of the feast.
d) The entirety of the feast day must be dedicated to God. The command to “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy; six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God” (Ex. 20:8, 10) underscores that the day is entirely devoted to the Lord, devoid of time dedicated to human pursuits. The concern that it’s impossible to fully dedicate the day to God due to human needs is unfounded; a person can prioritize their spiritual obligations over mundane ones. Even ordinary tasks can be sanctified by doing them for the glory of God. For instance, dressing appropriately for the Lord’s Day reflects respect for the day and the temple of God, which is chiefly honored on this day. It is fitting to enjoy meals joyfully and with thanksgiving to God (1 Cor. 10:31), remembering the sacred nature of shared meals as part of divine service. The understanding that the night preceding the feast is part of the holy day should inspire individuals to fill that time with God-pleasing activities rather than succumbing to sleep. This notion gives rise to the tradition of vigil services.
e) The strictness of observance surrounding the Sabbath is noteworthy. “You shall keep the Sabbath because it is holy to the Lord; whoever profanes it shall surely be put to death” (Ex. 31:14). An example from Scripture shows how the Israelites dealt with a man collecting wood on the Sabbath, and he was executed (Num. 15:32-36). In the book of Jeremiah, God warns, “If you will not listen to me to keep the Sabbath day holy... then I will kindle fire in the gates thereof” (Jer. 17:27). Historically, such warnings were realized when the Babylonians invaded, leading the Jewish people to observe the Sabbath strictly.
f) How should we celebrate Sunday? Consulting the Gospel reveals an alleviation of the Sabbath's strict law. Jesus questioned, “Which of you, having a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a person than a sheep? Therefore, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath” (Mt. 12:11-12). From this, two principles arise: first, necessary work is permissible on the Lord's Day; second, acts of kindness are commendable on this day. Hence, actions lacking necessity or moral worth are forbidden. It is sinful to forsake communal worship on Sunday in favor of bustling markets, where one might engage in excessive buying and selling. Civil laws may permit certain transactions on Sundays, yet engaging in activities that could wait for another day brings a stain upon the sanctity of the day. Engaging in worldly amusements, especially on the eve of the Lord’s Day, detracts from the solemnity meant for prayer and reflection. To indulge in activities on a day dedicated to glorifying Christ that do not uplift but rather diminish human dignity and salvation is a significant misstep. Let the commandment, the Church, and our consciences guide us, particularly on the holy day of the Lord, ensuring that our freedoms do not lead us into bondage to worldly distractions and vices.
THEOSIS