cing, of the Easter term ; but that this order was not duly observed. § 80. THE CYCLE OF PENTECOST. 407 old custom, and thus fell into conflict with the Anglo-Saxon. The introduction of the improved Gregorian calendar in the WesteiTi church in 1582 again produced discrepancy; the Eastern and Russian church adhered to the Julian calendar, and is consequently now about twelve days behind us. Ac- cording to the Gregorian calendar, which does not divide the months with astronomical exactness, it sometimes happens that the Paschal full moon is put a couple of hours too early, and the Christian Easter, as was the case in 1825, coincides with the Jewish Passover, against the express order of the comicil of Nicsea. ^ § 80. The Cycle of Pentecost. The whole period of seven weeks from Easter to Pentecost bore a joyous, festal character. It was called QuixQUAGESEiiA, or Peisttecost in the wider sense,' and was the memorial of the exaltation of Christ at the right hand of the Father, His re- peated appearances during the mysterious forty days, and His heavenly headship and eternal presence in the church. It was regarded as a continuous Sunday, and distinguished by the absence of all fasting and by standing in prayer. Quinqua- gesima formed a marked contrast with the Quadragesima which preceded. The deeper the sorrow of rej)entance had been in view of the suffering and dying Sa^doui', the higher now rose the joy of faith in the risen and eternally Kving Re- deemer. This joy, of course, must keep itself clear of worldly amusements, and be sanctified by devotion, prayer, singing, and thanksgiving ; and the theatres, therefore, remained closed through the fifty days. But the multitude of nominal Chris- tians soon forgot their religious impressions, and sought to compensate their previous fasting with wanton merry-mak- ing. The seven Sundays after Easter are called in the Latin church, respectively, Quas'imodo-geniti, MiseHcordia Domini, Jiobilute, Cantate, Rogata (or, Yocem jucunditatis), Exaiidi^ ' nevTe/coo-TTj. Comp. the author's Hist, of the Apost. Ch. § 54. 408 THIRD PERIOD. A.D. 311-590. and Pentecoste. In the Eastern cliurcli tlie Acts of the Apos- tles are read at this season. Of the fifty festival days, the fortieth and the fiftieth were particularly prominent. The fortieth day after Easter, always a Thursday, was after the fourth century dedicated to the ex- altation of Christ at the right hand of God, and hence named Ascension day.' Ihe fiftieth day, or the feast of Pentecost in the stricter sense,'' was the kernel and culminating point of this festival season, as Easter day was of the Easter cycle. It was the feast of the Holy Ghost, who on this day was poured out upon the assembled disciples with the whole fulness of the accomplished redemption ; and it was at the same time the birth-day of the Christian church. Hence this festival also was particularly prized for baptisms and ordinations. Pente- cost corresponded to the Jewish feast of that name,' which was primarily