Papal Supremacy and the Early Church

[BartholomewB]

The same historical source I read said that it was Constantine the Great that shifted the Sabbath to Sunday; taking it over from the cult of Sol Invictus.

Very much earlier than Constantine, according to the Catholic Church. Paul, Luke and the Christian community in Troas were already celebrating the Eucharist on Sunday, “the first day of the week,” yom rishon, in the middle of the first century, around the year 51:

• On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. (Acts 20:7, ESV)

This is the first time I’ve heard about Sol Invictus in connection with Sunday worship. It’s usually mentioned as the alleged origin of December 25 as the day we celebrate Christ’s birth. According to some historians, it’s more likely that Christmas came first and the annual feast of Sol Invictus was an attempt by the pagan authorities to de-Christianize Christmas.

For the origin of Sunday worship, see CCC 1343:

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P3Z.HTM

 

[dochawk]

Thank you everyone for your helpful replies. My next question is, @dochawk is why were laymen having a role in papal elections?

the early church widely had flat-out lay elections for bishops, who would then be installed by nearby bishops.

Clerical influence grew over the centuries, but did not become universal until Vatican I. In fact, the pope had minimal to no role in selection of bishops outside of Italy and the America until Vatican I.

 

[twf]

And even today, in the Latin Church, some European sees still elect their own bishops (or rather the Cathedral Chapter plays a role in the election of the new bishop)… but subject to Roman confirmation of course.