Exodus 20:9Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Since God created the entire world in six days and rested on the seventh, He sanctified that day so that humanity might also cease their labors and praise God, recalling His goodness in creation. Furthermore, when He liberated the Israelites from bondage in Egypt, He instituted the Passover feast through Moses. There are other days mentioned in the Old Testament that are also worthy of remembrance. In contrast, we Christians observe Sunday instead of the Sabbath. This is because on this day, through the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the renewal of the cosmos was achieved, and humanity was freed from the chains of sin and death. On this day, we are called to abstain from our usual work so that we may devote ourselves to prayer and sacred activities in gratitude for God's blessings. Servants and workers should not engage in labor on this day but rather perform acts that please God and glorify Him through prayer. By following this commandment, we are also obliged to observe other holy days prescribed by the Church, such as the solemn feasts of Christ's Nativity, His Circumcision, Epiphany, Purification, Resurrection, Ascension, and others, along with days honoring the Virgin Mary, the Apostles, Martyrs, and other Saints. The Sixth Ecumenical Council provides guidance on how to celebrate Sunday in its 91st rule. The observance of Sunday in place of the Sabbath is due to Christ being the Lord of the Sabbath, as stated in Scripture: "For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath" (Matthew 12:8). Therefore, since Christ is indeed Lord of the Sabbaths, it is fitting to honor Sunday instead, for He is not under any authority, having risen from the dead on this day, bringing forth the restoration and renewal of the world through the gift of eternal life.

Additionally, some partake in games, dances, and other inappropriate activities during these sacred times. Those educated in literacy yet neglect to read sacred texts during the feasts also fall short. Furthermore, pastors and church leaders who do not instruct their congregations on these significant days are equally remiss. Lastly, there are individuals who do not contribute even modestly to the collections for the poor that are organized on these occasions, about which the Apostle Paul writes (1 Cor. 16).

Consequently, our Almighty God prohibits any activities on the Sabbath that would obstruct sincere worship. Given this understanding, what can we conclude regarding the Gospel's teachings? Christ will defend His disciples, who offered sacrifices on the Sabbath, against the Pharisees by referencing David and the priests of old, who performed sacrificial rites according to Jewish custom on that day—these actions were not condemned by the law.

To grasp the depth and meaning of the commandment concerning the Sabbath, we must briefly explore the rationale and purpose behind this divine decree. God created the material world in six days and assigned humanity to govern it, ordaining that the seventh day be kept holy in honor of the Most High who formed all creation on that day. However, due to the subsequent moral decay of humanity, this initial directive was often overlooked, leading mankind, made in God’s image, to forget Him, resulting in widespread malice and idolatry—conditions that still afflict many nations today. Nevertheless, God, distinguishing His people Israel, restored this ordinance regarding the observance of the Sabbath, ensuring that the knowledge of the one true God was preserved among them throughout the ages.

The command that calls for six days of work serves to remind us that all time comes from God. It instructs us that, having lost the blessings of our original state, we must toil daily for sustenance, and emphasizes that any success we enjoy in our endeavors stems solely from God's gracious will. Thus, we are compelled to serve Him wholeheartedly throughout our lives.

By the grace of the Gospel, enlightened Christians, in accordance with this law, recognize their duty to keep the seventh day, or Sunday, as sacred instead of the former Jewish Sabbath, since it was on this day that Jesus Christ, our Savior, triumphed over death. Henceforth, it has been established by the Orthodox Church that on Sunday, all true believers should gather in unity, setting aside everyday work, worries, and distractions, to collectively honor their Creator, acknowledging His authority, wisdom, justice, and goodness, while offering praise and thanks for His blessings, seeking His assistance, and receiving instruction in the Law and Christian virtues.

The Sabbath, as mandated by the Law, should be observed by everyone, with exceptions only for essential tasks. It is to be honored by children, so they may learn their responsibilities and develop a reverence for God; by servants, to recognize their Sovereign Lord in heaven; and even for livestock, that they may rest, unless their needs dictate otherwise, enabling all creation to partake in the gifts of their Creator.

Those who fail to uphold the sanctity of this designated day bring dishonor upon themselves; first, by neglecting their duties under Christian law, and second, by engaging in activities contrary to Christianity. This includes all who neglect to attend places where God is worshipped through scripture readings, hymns, sacraments, and the teaching of His Word. Likewise, those who squander the day in idleness, frivolous pursuits, or trivial amusements unrelated to the holiness of this day and the essence of the Christian faith, violate the sanctity of the time bestowed upon them.

From Scripture, we understand two foundational reasons for establishing the Sabbath. First, "For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and hallowed it" (Exodus 20:11). This indicates that the Sabbath was blessed and set apart by God after the creation of the world, signifying its significance for all humanity, not just the Jewish people. Thus, this commandment is a universal and unchanging directive that applies to all people, just like the other commandments.

The second reason for Sabbath observance is rooted in the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. “Remember, said Moses to the Israelites, that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to observe the sabbath day” (Deuteronomy 5:15). This reason holds particular significance for the Jewish people. However, the apostles recognized the deliverance from Egyptian bondage as a prefiguration of humanity's redemption from sin and death through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Christ, which occurred on the first day following the Sabbath, transformed the traditional observance; thus, the Apostles designated this day, the first of the week, as the day of Resurrection in remembrance of Christ's victory over death.

During Christ's earthly ministry, the Jewish authorities had excessively strict interpretations of Sabbath laws, even condemning acts of healing on this day. In contrast, many Christians today exhibit lax attitudes toward Sunday observance, often treating it like any typical workday.

What should our focus be on Sundays and holy days? First, we must set aside our worldly pursuits—judges from their courts, teachers from their lessons, merchants from their trade, artisans from their crafts, and farmers from their fields—to engage in deeds that honor God. The foremost of these is prayer, particularly in communal worship. Neglecting to gather for prayer and worship on holy days is a grave error. Therefore, it is essential to attend the house of God for public prayer on Sundays and feast days. The dedication of early Christians to attending worship is a powerful example; they were so zealous that they continued meeting even when facing persecution.

There is a renowned account of Emperor Valens, who attempted to carry out a deadly order against Christians gathered for worship. Despite the warning, many congregated with an unwavering spirit of faith. One woman, in her haste to attend, even left her house unprepared, wishing only to join her fellow believers, and she intended to embrace martyrdom along with them.

Additionally, on Sundays and feast days, we should perform acts of kindness towards our neighbors: offering aid to the needy, comforting the sorrowful, visiting the sick, and serving those in prison. Early Christians exemplified this by tending to the afflicted, even amidst danger. For instance, a biography of St. Martha describes her immense generosity towards the poor, often serving them at great personal cost.

Are we striving for such virtuous actions? Each of us should endeavor to contribute even modestly to the needs of others on Sundays and holy days, making it a pleasing offering to God.

After attending worship, families should share meals together. It is also a fruitful practice to reflect on the scriptures from the day's service, discussing them with loved ones or reading holy texts together. This reflection can enrich our spiritual lives and foster a deeper understanding of God’s teachings. Engaging with spiritual literature can provide profound insights and lead to inner peace, as St. John of the Ladder notes about the transformative effects of reading about the virtuous lives of saints.

Yet, despite knowing what we should do on these sacred days, many of us neglect our responsibilities. Rather than dedicating our holy days to God, we often succumb to indulgences that draw us away from His glory, participating in revelries that distract and distance us from our faith.

It is crucial, dear brothers and sisters, to honor the feasts of God properly and avoid devoting them to anything that detracts from His command.