Movable feast is a phrase that refers to a religious holiday, typically determined by the lunar calendar, that does not fall on a fixed date. The spelling of the word "movable" is straightforward, as it is pronounced /ˈmuːvəbl/ (MUUV-uh-bull). However, the word "feast" is spelled irregularly, with the "ea" combination pronounced as /iː/ (EE), generating the sound /ˈmuːvəbl fiːst/ (MUUV-uh-bull FEEST). It is important to note the correct spelling of this phrase in order to avoid confusion with the unrelated term "moveable feast," which refers to a meal or gathering that can be easily transported.
A movable feast is a term used to describe a religious holiday or festival that does not have a fixed date in the calendar and can vary each year. These feasts are determined by the liturgical calendar of various Christian traditions, including the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant churches.
The date of a movable feast is dependent on the occurrence of a particular event or the position of another fixed feast within the calendar. For instance, Easter, one of the most well-known movable feasts, is celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox. This means that the date of Easter can fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25.
Other examples of movable feasts include Pentecost, Ash Wednesday, and Good Friday. The purpose of having movable feasts is to align these important religious observances with significant astronomical or liturgical events, ensuring their symbolism and meaning remain consistent.
The term "movable feast" can also be used metaphorically to describe a flexible or changeable event or occasion that does not have a fixed schedule. In this context, it refers to an event or happening that can be adapted or adjusted to fit different circumstances or preferences.
The term "movable feast" can be traced back to the Latin phrase "festum mobile". In Latin, "festum" means feast and "mobile" means movable or changing. The phrase was commonly used in the Christian context to refer to holidays or religious observances that do not have a fixed date and instead change each year based on the liturgical calendar. The term "movable feast" was later adopted in English, maintaining its original meaning of a movable or changing religious celebration.