Editing Advent (section)

=== Fasting ===

Bishop [[Saint Perpetuus|Perpetuus]] of Tours, who died in 490, ordered fasting three days a week from the day after Saint Martin's Day (11 November). In the 6th century, local [[synod#Councils|councils]] enjoined fasting on all days except Saturdays and Sundays from Saint Martin's Day to Epiphany (the feast of baptism), a period of 56 days, but of 40 days fasting, like the fast of Lent. It was therefore called {{lang|de|Quadragesima Sancti Martini}} (Saint Martin's Lent).<ref name=Pfatteicher2013/>{{rp|style=ama|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=hfVdAAAAQBAJ&pg=PP42 42]}} This period of fasting was later shortened and called "Advent" by the Church.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title = Saint Martin's Lent |encyclopedia= Encyclopædia Britannica  |url = https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/517764/Saint-Martins-Lent |access-date= 4 December 2013 }}</ref>

In the Anglican and Lutheran churches this fasting rule was later relaxed. The Roman Catholic Church later abolished the precept of fasting during Advent (at an unknown date at the latest in [[1917 Code of Canon Law|1917]]), later, but kept Advent as a season of [[penance|penitence]]. In addition to fasting, dancing and similar festivities were forbidden in these traditions. On [[Gaudete Sunday]], relaxation of the fast was permitted. Eastern Orthodox and [[Oriental Orthodox]] churches still hold the tradition of fasting for 40 days before Christmas.