holy day of obligation

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Explanation of "Holy Day of Obligation"

Definition:
A "holy day of obligation" is a special day in the Christian calendar, particularly for Catholics and some other Christian denominations, when they are required to attend church services (like Mass) and participate in religious activities. On these days, they should also avoid doing regular work (often called "servile work").

Usage Instructions:

• You can use the phrase "holy day of obligation" when discussing religious observances or church practices.
• It is typically used in a religious context, so it's important to understand the significance of the day to those who observe it.

Example:

• "Christmas is a holy day of obligation, so we must go to Mass that evening."

Advanced Usage:

• In a discussion about church traditions, you might say: "The Church recognizes several holy days of obligation throughout the year, such as the Feast of the Assumption and All Saints' Day."

Word Variants:

• "Holy day" (the first part can stand alone to refer to any sacred day)
• "Obligation" (can also refer to a duty or responsibility outside of a religious context)

Different Meanings:

• Holy Day: Can refer to any day considered sacred, not just those with obligations.
• Obligation: In general usage, it means a responsibility or duty, not necessarily related to religion.

Synonyms:

• Sacred day
• Feast day (though not all feast days are holy days of obligation)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs related to "holy day of obligation," but here are a couple of related phrases:
  • "To go to church" - this means to attend a church service, which is what one does on a holy day of obligation.
  • "To take part in" - to participate in an event, such as attending Mass on a holy day of obligation.

Conclusion:

Understanding the term "holy day of obligation" helps you appreciate the practices and beliefs of many Christians.

Academic

Noun

1. a day when Catholics must attend Mass and refrain from servile work, and Episcopalians must take Communion