FORMULAE OF FASTING AND PENANCE IN THE SLAVONIC CANON LAW TEXTS: THE FASTING IN BREAD AND ASH

  • Марияна Цибранска-Костова

Abstract

The article deals with the rare penitential formula "fasting in bread and ash" and its multiple connotations from both the Biblical semantic key and the religious practice of the Slavic societies during the Middle Ages. What makes it interesting is the fact that it appears in different textual forms, called penitentials, whose origins apparently go back to very early period of the development of the Slavic Christian culture. Another penitential formula - "fasting in bread and water", has already called the scholars' attention with the possibility of being borrowed from the Latin discipline, respectively a Latin written source. This assumption must be definitely approved, thanks to some past and most recent researches. The analysis of other penitential formulae could bring more light on the interactions between the Slavic, the Greek and the Latin patterns of the Canon Law Literature and the history of the relevant texts.

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