XV.
This cycle of nineteen years is not approved of by
certain African investigators who have drawn up larger cycles, because
it seems to be somewhat opposed to their surmises and opinions.
For these make up the best proved accounts according to their
calculation, and determine a certain beginning or certain end for the
Easter season, so as that the Paschal festival shall not be celebrated
before the eleventh day before the Kalends of April, i.e., 24th March,
nor after the moon’s
twenty-first, and the eleventh day before the Kalends of May, i.e.,
21st April. But we hold that these are limits not only not to be
followed, but to be detested and overturned. For even in the
ancient law it is laid down that this is to be seen to, viz., that the
Passover be not celebrated before the transit of the vernal equinox, at
which the last of the autumnal term is overtaken,1189
| 1189
In quo autumnalis novissima pars vincitur. |
on the
fourteenth day of the first month, which is one calculated not by the
beginnings of the day, but by those of the
moon.
1190
And as this has been sanctioned by the
charge of the
Lord, and is in all things accordant with the Catholic
faith, it cannot be doubtful to any wise man that to anticipate it must
be a thing unlawful and perilous. And, accordingly, this only is
it sufficient for all the saints and Catholics to observe, namely, that
giving no heed to the diverse opinions of very many, they should keep
the solemn festival of the Lord’s resurrection within the limits
which we have set forth.
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