medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Cecilia Gaposchkin wrote:
>
> Let me ask a question that I should really know the answer to. What is
> vigil, and how does it relate, if in any way, to vespers and or
> matins? (has this already been covered? I way not following the
> earlier discussion)
A vigil is the eve of a major feast, and was kept as a nocturnal meeting
between Vespers and Matins (Vigils). [Remember, the medieval "day" began
with sunset the night before.] This became impractical, and was it
transferred to the day before, that day being kept as a fast day. I am
talking about this later practice (and for the late medieval period,
mostly - although not exclusively - for medieval Britain). Liturgically, the
Vigil seems to have generally commenced with Matins (Vigils of the vigil!)
on that day, treating the day as a feria. (There were exceptions: the Easter
Vigil seems to have commenced about mid-day.)
John Briggs
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