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The concept of Feast in Christianity

The keyphrase "Feast" in the provided text encompasses various significant religious and communal celebrations. In Christianity, it mainly refers to the Passover and other notable gatherings where joy and thanksgiving are central themes. Events like the Feast of Unleavened Bread symbolize spiritual communion, while the Feast of Tabernacles signifies community and joyfulness. The concept of feasts extends across cultural contexts, emphasizing hospitality, shared meals, and the importance of gathering believers for worship and celebration, reflecting the deeper spiritual significance within the faith.1
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Synonyms: Banquet, Festival, Celebration, Gala, Spread, Dinner, Meal, Party, Festivity, Feast day, Gathering

In Finnish: Juhla; In Dutch: Feest; In Spanish: Banquete; In Malay: Kenduri; In German: Fest; In Swedish: Fest; In French: Festin

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Christian concept of 'Feast'

Christianity Books

Significance in Christianity (general):

From: Expositions of Holy Scripture

(1) This is a term used to describe a joyful celebration, which should be kept by feeding upon Christ, the Paschal Lamb, which is the central requirement for all Christian life.[1] (2) The feast is the Founder, who should not have said a word to hint that it was, and it shows a deep insight into His hold on hearts.[2] (3) This is a gathering of believers, symbolizing a time of spiritual communion and celebration, and highlighting the importance of community and fellowship in the Christian faith.[3] (4) This is the culmination of the parable, teaching the truth that Heaven celebrates the return of a sinner, and representing the satisfaction of every hunger of the heart and all desires being met through forgiveness.[4] (5) The text uses this word to refer to a celebratory event, which is a time of gathering and possibly religious significance, and it relates to the context.[5]

From: Bible cyclopedia, critical and expository

(1) This is a holiday that the Great Synagogue instituted.[6] (2) The new feast was not to be merely annual but frequent, and Psalms and hymns accompanied the latter as at its institution and at the previous Passover, expressing their joyful thanksgivings.[7] (3) This is a reference to the Passover, where those who were circumcised would help prepare the lamb for the feast, according to the provided text.[8] (4) As the Passover was the nation's feast of joy, so the day of atonement was its day of penitent humiliation; and the atonement was its indispensable preparation for the joy that followed in the feast of tabernacles or ingathering of fruits.[9] (5) This refers to the wedding celebration, which could last for seven to fourteen days, and the text mentions riddles and other festivities.[10]

From: A Dictionary of the Bible (Hastings)

(1) The governor of this event, also referred to as the 'ruler', was likely a guest chosen to control and arrange the event, highlighting the social context in which this term was used and the responsibilities associated with the role.[11] (2) These were primarily celebrations of joy and were considered a part of religion, with rejoicing before God synonymous with celebrating the festival, although this characteristic changed over time, and some feasts were not joyful.[12] (3) This refers to the Passover, a religious festival that drew large crowds to Jerusalem, and the text mentions it in relation to Pilate's presence and activities.[13] (4) The feast refers to the feast of unleavened cakes, including the Passover, which had a prohibition against leavened bread.[14] (5) Important agricultural festivals that are outlined in the Book of the Covenant, marking various harvest periods.[15]

From: The Complete Sayings of Jesus

(1) The event that the Jews were celebrating, where Jesus's presence caused division and discussion among the people.[16] (2) The event where the Galileans saw all the things that Jesus did at Jerusalem, and they also went unto the feast, as stated in the provided text about the events.[17]

From: A Cyclopedia of Biblical literature

(1) Feasts are rooted in the pleasures associated with the table, specifically the practice of hospitality, which involves receiving and dismissing individuals with delightful food, as demonstrated in various accounts.[18]

From: Hymns for Christian Devotion

(1) A special occasion where there is still space available for people to come, and those who are invited will be welcomed.[19]

Significance in Early Christian church and writers:
Early Christianity Books

From: Ante-nicene Fathers

(1) This event was approaching, and people were going to Jerusalem before it to purify themselves, and it was the Passover of the Jews.[20] (2) The feast is a time that Barnabas suggested that they go to Jerusalem, which was to occur after passing the winter in Cyprus, suggesting a religious celebration.[21] (3) The events during the year that they used to visit the temple of the Lord at, on account of their vows.[22] (4) The feast is a religious gathering, and it is connected to Jesus's activities.[23] (5) The text refers to 'feasts' in the context of religious observances, which the Lord does not call His own, implying that they are not considered to be His.[24]

Early Christianity (also known as Early Church) refers to the period starting roughly in the 6th century BC up until 325 A.D. during which year the first council of Nicaea was convened. Popular literature includes the writings by the early Church Fathers which forms the basis of later Christian theology.

Significance in Church of the East (or the East Syriac Church):
Church of the East Books

From: The Book of the Bee

(1) A social gathering hosted by Job's children that ultimately leads to the tragic event of their demise.[25]

The Church of the East emerged in the 5th century and separated from the Roman Empire's state church by adopting Nestorianism. It emphasizes the distinct human and divine natures of Jesus Christ. It is also called the Assyrian Church, Nestorian Church or the East Syriac Church.

Gnostic concept of 'Feast'

Gnosticism Books

Significance in Gnosticism (Mystical or Esoteric Christianity):

From: Fragments of a Faith Forgotten

(1) This is where the Great Ones assemble, and the Eternal alone are deemed worthy, within the context of the provided text.[26]

The concept of Feast in local and regional sources

History Books

Feast pertains to the celebration of the feast of unleavened bread, which plays a significant role in Easter observances, linking the traditions and religious significance of the holiday to its historical roots.

Significance in India history and geography:

From: Folklore of the Santal Parganas

(1) A gathering for eating, which the Ghormuhas engaged in after killing their own parents.[27] (2) What Jhore offered to passersby after he ran away with the basket of rice.[28] (3) A celebration for the guests following the wedding event, showing the elder Rani's regained status after the deception.[29] (4) The celebration that occurred afterward when the villagers received payment from the headman for deceiving them.[30]

From: Bhaktavijaya: Stories of Indian Saints

(1) A celebratory meal shared by the people in the king's palace, marking a moment of communal joy and gratitude.[31] (2) A special meal prepared for the Brahmans in honor of the ancestors.[32]

From: Triveni Journal

(1) One of Sarojini's poems that requests the beloved's sorrow and tears as gifts rather than material wealth.[33]

From: Bede's Ecclesiastical History of England

(1) The feast of unleavened bread is integral to the observance of Easter.[34]