The Feast of Christ’s Nativity has long been celebrated not only as a liturgical but also a culinary feast
From the vineyard – sparkling contenders
Though the date of Christmas was officially fixed by Pope Julius I in 350, the earliest recorded celebration dates from 336, during the reign of the first Christian Roman emperor, Constantine. It was the Council of Tours in 567, however, that formally established the 12 days of Christmas as not only a sacred but also a festive season. Such was the singular significance of Christmas in the Christian calendar, it was deemed a suitable day for imperial and royal coronations.
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