Sunday

:This article is about the day of the week. For the Australian news and current affairs television programme see Sunday (TV series).

The name Sunday

In English, Sunday gets its name from Sunna, or Sunne the Germanic sun goddess.

Related Topics:
English - Sunna

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In ancient Jewish tradition Saturday is the sabbath. Christians in the 7th day Church of God groups believe that Saturday remains the Sabbath (Hebrews 4:9).

Related Topics:
Jewish - Sabbath - Church of God

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Many languages lack separate words for "Saturday" and "sabbath". Eastern Orthodox churches distinguish between the sabbath (Saturday) and what they call the Lord's day (Sunday). Roman Catholics put so little emphasis on that distinction that many among them follow — at least in colloquial language — the Protestant practice of calling Sunday the sabbath, though this is not a universal Protestant practice. Quakers traditionally refer to Sunday as "First Day" eschewing the "pagan" origin of the name.

Related Topics:
Eastern Orthodox - Lord's day - Roman Catholic - Protestant - Quakers - Pagan

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The first historical reference to "the day called Sun" by any involved with Christianity was by Justin Martyr around 150 A.D. However, the Christians in Smyrna, still observed the seventh day Sabbath later than that as can be found in the letter known as the Martyrdom of Polycarp.

Related Topics:
Christianity - Justin Martyr

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sunday was declared the day of worship by the Council of Nicea circa 325 A.D. Groups that accepted the authority of that Council have kept Sunday ever since.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~